Registration for Fall 2023 Tutoring and Group Programs in Brentwood and Gallatin is Now Open!

Registration for our FREE therapeutic and educational programming in Brentwood and Gallatin this fall is open! We’d love to have you join us as a participant or volunteer, and further information on exact offerings and dates is listed below.

One-on-One Educational Tutoring (Brentwood and Gallatin)

Tutoring sessions will be September 11 – December 16.

· Literacy (ages 3+): weekly as scheduled with student & tutor

· Math (ages 3+): weekly as scheduled with student & tutor

Click Here to Sign up as a Student or Tutor

Group Therapeutic and Educational Programs (Brentwood) 

Here are the steps to register as a participant: 

1. Create/log-in to your My GiGi’s account. Click here for more information, and if you have any technical issues, feel free to email us at nashville@gigisplayhouse.org.  

2. To register for a program, click on a session on our  website calendar and click the Register button.  

LMNOP (recommended ages 0-5): Language Music N‘ Our Peeps is an interactive and engaging program designed to guide parents and young children through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication while using music and language-based activities. LMNOP will take place on the following Saturday mornings from 10:00-11:00 am: 9/23, 10/7, 10/28, 11/18, and 12/9 (Dates subject to change. Check out our calendar for the most up-to-date information!) 

GiGiFIT- Early Learners (recommended ages 0-5): We are making movement fun! In GiGiFit Early Learners, we introduce the concepts of foundational movements, mobility, visual-vestibular, and reflex integration activities. In a fun environment, we are purposefully progressing on improving areas of fitness through activities in strength, endurance, joint stability, balance, movement control and more. This program, formerly known as Crawlers and Walkers, gives participants the opportunity to address OT skills in a fun and social setting. Heidi Terry MS, OTR/L will be leading the program this semester. This program will take place on the following Saturday mornings from 10:00-11:00 am: 9/16, 9/30, 10/21, 11/11, and 12/2 (Dates subject to change. Check out our calendar for the most up-to-date information!) To enroll, please complete the form linked here. 

Yoga- School Age (recommended ages 5-12): Helps your child develop healthy habits for a lifetime of wellness and happiness. Yoga gives children a practice and routine that integrates physical, mental and emotional development. Yoga programs will help your child develop more personal awareness and learn specific strategies to maintain focus and manage their emotions and impulses. Yoga- School Age will take place on Tuesday evenings from 5:00-6:00 pm. Check our calendar for the dates we will be meeting!  

Music in Motion (recommended ages 8-12): Led by our friends in the Music Therapy Department at Belmont University, Music in Motion builds self-confidence while strengthening social, communication, and motor skills through therapeutic use of music and dance. This program will take place Thursdays from 4:45-5:45 pm. Check our calendar for the dates we will be meeting! 

TeenTastic (recommended ages 13-18): Focuses on building social skills with friends with and without Down syndrome by participating in team-based activities in a casual and fun setting. Skill development includes understanding compromise, turn-taking and problem-solving abilities. TeenTastic will take place on Mondays from 6:00–7:00 pm. Check our calendar for the dates we will be meeting!  

Yoga- Teen & Adult (recommended ages 13+): Helps your child develop healthy habits for a lifetime of wellness and happiness. Yoga gives children a practice and routine that integrates physical, mental and emotional development. Yoga programs will help your child develop more personal awareness and learn specific strategies to maintain focus and manage their emotions and impulses. Yoga- Teen & Adult will take place on the following Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 pm: 9/14, 9/28, 10/26, 11/9, 12/7, and 12/14. 

CrossFit (recommended ages 16+): Our CrossFit program promotes physical fitness and facilitates social interaction and positive peer relationships through purposeful physical activities for adolescents and adults. Our amazing volunteer Program Leaders pair participants from GiGi’s with volunteer fitness buddies to complete group workouts together. Fitness activities include squats, sit-ups, deadlift, step ups, burpees, rowing, push-ups, lunges, and more! PLEASE NOTE: CrossFit meets at the “CrossFit Breakthrough” gym in West Nashville (5402 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209). We will be meeting on the following Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 pm this fall: 9/21, 10/5, 10/19, 11/2, 11/16, and 11/30.  

Fantastic Friends (recommended ages 18+): A fun, purposeful, and social gathering for adults with Down syndrome, their peers and the community. Supports the development of social skills and language through peer-to-peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This Fall we will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-7:30 pm. Check our calendar for the dates we will be meeting!  

Group Therapeutic and Educational Programs (Gallatin)   

Here are the steps to register as a participant:   

1. Create/log-in to your My GiGi’s account. Click here for more information, and if you have any technical issues, feel free to email us at nashville@gigisplayhouse.org.   

1. To register for a program, click on a session on our website calendar and click the Register button.   

Our Gallatin satellite location is located at NorthField, 2100 Nashville Pike Gallatin, TN  

LMNOP (recommended ages 0-5): Language Music N‘ Our Peeps is an interactive and engaging program designed to guide parents and young children through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication while using music and language-based activities. LMNOP will take place Saturdays from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on 9/16, 10/14, 11/11, and 12/2 

DESTINATION DISCOVERY (Ages 5-12) Destination Discovery supports the development of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills and language through purposeful play and peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program also brings families together to share experiences and build relationships. This is a family program, so please feel free to stay with your child and help them achieve their Best of All. Destination Discovery will meet on Saturdays, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM on 9/16, 10/14, 11/11, and 12/2  

TEENTASTIC (recommended ages 13-18): Focuses on building social skills with friends with and without Down syndrome by participating in team-based activities in a casual and fun setting. Skill development includes understanding compromise, turn-taking and problem-solving abilities. TeenTastic will take place on Tuesdays from 6:00–7:00 pm on  9/19, 10/17, 11/14, and 12/12 
 
GIGI’S KITCHEN ADULT (recommended ages: 18+) GiGi’s Kitchen Adult is designed to emphasize the importance of health and wellness through nutrition education, kitchen safety, food preparation, social activities and a shared meal/snack. Under the guidance of program leaders, participants will learn about and progress through skills including measurements, food handling, knife skills, ingredient identification, palate expansion, and nutrition. Participants will be introduced to various cooking techniques. The GiGi’s Kitchen Adult program will build participants self-esteem and self-confidence through nutrition and wellness! This program is recommended for ages 18+. To enroll, please complete the form linked here. GiGi’s Kitchen will meet on Tuesdays from 6:00 – 7:00 PM on 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 11/28, 12/5, 12/12  

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

We are thrilled that you are interested in volunteering with GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville! Here are the different ways you can get involved:

Program Leader:  The Program Leader plays an integral role within GiGi’s Playhouse Programs – to facilitate skill development activities and connect with families.  It is preferred that the Program Leader has advanced education and/or training in the program subject, such as developmental therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, social work, special education, speech-language therapy, music, dance, art, or a related field.

Host Family: The Host Family attends the assigned program each session, to assist others with check in, check out, and make all feel welcome at GiGi’s.

Program Volunteers: This person will assist the program lead, and the number of volunteers depends on the size and type of program. Program volunteers just need a general knowledge of Down syndrome (which you can gain at the volunteer orientation)!

Literacy and Math Tutors: This is an exciting opportunity to help those with Down syndrome learn to read or do math skills! The time commitment per week is 1 hour plus prep time. We ask our tutors to commit to a 10-week session. You will work directly with the family of the child you are tutoring to determine when you will meet for your session each week. Click here for more information on tutoring.

Click here to register as a program volunteer.

Click here to register as a tutor.

For any questions about Fall 2023 Programs or the registration process please email:
Brentwood – Emily, esheridan@gigisplayhouse.org
Gallatin – Hayley, hmaurer@gigisplayhouse.org
Tutoring – Tracie, tmichelson@gigisplayhouse.org