New Programs in the works!

Music Group (Ages 2-5)

Every 1st Saturday at 9:30 am, Start Date: June 7

Join as we sing, move, dance and clap to the beat.  Music class will help promote language development, fine and gross motor skills, and music skills in a fun and engaging setting.  This program will be led by Jennifer Heflin, a mom to three girls, one of which has a special extra chromosome!  Jennifer has been teaching pre-school music for over five years.

Goals:

• Promote language development and articulation through singing
• Increase fine and gross motor skills through playing instruments and movement to music

 Crawlers & Walkers

Every 2nd Saturday at 10:30 am, Start Date:  June 14th

 This program will facilitate and strengthen gross motor skills in children who are working toward achieving the developmental milestone of crawling or walking.  Fine motor, sensory awareness, music, social interaction and language skills will also be incorporated.  Jessica Spas PT DPT will be leading this group. She has a heart for working with children with Down syndrome and helping them develop their motor skills.

Goals:

• Increase gross motor skills through core strengthening activities and modeling techniques for parent involvement
• Promote parent-child interaction and positive relationships through constant reinforcement and encouragement

Summer Dance Program (Ages 11-15)

Every Wednesday at 6:00 pm, Starting June 18th-July 23 (6 weeks)

 Get your bodies moving and grooving this summer at GiGi’s Playhouse Summer Dance Class.  Through creative movement we will work on rhythmic movements, isolation of individual body parts, gross motor skills, body awareness, creating dances and self-expression. This program will be led by Margaret Rennerfeldt who is an Assistant Professor of Dance of Austin Peay State University.  Limited space available. E-mail ccatino@gigisplayhouse.org to reserve your spot!

Goals:

• Promote body awareness through movements, such as expanding and contracting body parts through breath, crossing the mid-line, walking to the beat and making shapes with the body.
•  Increase self–expression by changing body movements in response to words and/or music and creating individual dances.

Language, Music N’ Our Peeps. (Ages 6-36 months)

Every 4^th Saturday at 10:30 am, Start Date: July 26

LMNOP guides parents and infants through learning basic sign language and through incorporating music and dance therapy into daily activities to stimulate the child.  This program will be led by Courtney Wright a SLP who has an array of experience working with children with Down syndrome.

Goals:

• Introduce and increase use of basic sign language
• Increase vocalizations through use of music, song and movement

Saturday Friends (Ages 13 +)

NEW DATE: 2nd Saturdays at 6:30 pm, Start Date: June 14

 A fun filled evening to facilitate social interactions between young adults and adults with Down syndrome, their peers and the community.  Each night we will have a special theme like karaoke, DDR, wii games and much more.  Pizza will be served and gluten free arrangements can be made! We hope you will be able to join us.

Goals:

• Promote positive peer relationships
• Encourage peer relationships in the community
• Social skill development and FUN!!

Girl Scouts (Ages 5-18)

Register Now! Meeting time: TBD
There is still time to register for the summer Girl Scout Troop.  This is an inclusive group for school-aged girls with Down syndrome and their siblings and friends. For more information and to register please e-mail the leader Kristi Hill at kristi_curry@hotmail.com.