Program Schedule & Registration Information: Fall 2020

Registration for Fall 2020 Programming is now open!

At GiGi's Playhouse Nashville, we make a lifetime commitment to support individuals with Down syndrome of ALL ages and help them achieve their Best of All by working diligently to offer a purposeful progression of high-quality therapeutic-based, educational, career development, and family connections programming. We provide visual supports, individualized tools, and family education to support participants' growth and progress at GiGi's, at home, at school, at work, and in the community. We are SO grateful to our amazing, highly-qualified volunteer Program Leaders (often educators or therapists) and assistants who generously donate their expertise and quality time to bring purposeful programming to life.

Programs at GiGi's are divided into three semesters per year: spring (January-April), summer (May-August), and fall (September-December). Each semester has a different program schedule and all programs are offered FREE of charge to families. Recommended age ranges are approximate and siblings are always welcome to attend programs unless otherwise specified.

In order to keep our participants, families and volunteers safe and healthy, we will be offering a variety of in-person and virtual programs this fall. All virtual programs will be accessible through GoToMeeting. By registering for a virtual program, you will receive a unique GoToMeeting link each week for that particular program. For our in-person programs, we will be taking several precautions and following GiGi's Inc. and local CDC guidelines. Each person (over the age of 2) who enters our building will need to wear a mask, have their temperature taken and complete a health questionnaire. The safety of our participants, families and volunteers is of extreme importance to us. We are confident that all of our in-person programs, will be conducted in a safe and healthy manner.

Registration will remain open until August 28th, 2020 or until programs are full. Once you complete the online registration form, you will receive a confirmation of enrollment prior to August 30th.

We are excited to offer the following programs this fall:

One-On-One Educational Tutoring

  • Literacy (ages 3+): weekly as scheduled with student & tutor
  • Math (ages 3+): weekly as scheduled with student & tutor
  • GiGi's Amina Grace One-on-One Speech & Language Program (ages 3+): weekly as scheduled with a Speech and Language Pathologist
Click Here to Register as a Student or Volunteer Tutor

Early Learners Group Programs

  • SPOT ON Story Time (recommended ages: 12 months-5 years) is an interactive and engaging program for young children with Down syndrome and their parents/caregivers. This program will be led by a Speech Therapist and an Occupational Therapist who will bring each story to life! Each session will focus on enhancing speech and language, fine and gross motor skills and social interaction. Our amazing program leaders are Elizabeth Sestini, MS CCC-SLP/L, owner of Rooted Therapy, and Sara Hall, OTR/L, owner of SOAR pediatric therapy. They are both so excited to share their expertise with our families in a fun and educational environment! The Fall 2020 semester of SPOT ON Story Time will meet from 9:30-10:15am on Thursday mornings alternating between in-person and online each week. Dates: 9/10(in person), 9/17 (virtual), 9/24 (in person), 10/1 (virtual), 10/8 (in person), 10/15 (virtual), 10/22 (in person), 10/29 (virtual), 11/12 (in person), 11/19 (virtual). SPOT ON Story Time is recommended for individuals with Down syndrome approximately 12 months to 5 years old and their parents/caregivers.
  • The Extra Connection: The Extra connection is community group for new and expecting parents of children with Down syndrome. This group is a place for families to connect with one another and learn about local resources in our community! In this program, we will discuss relevant topics and have guest speakers from the community join in from time to time. This group is designed for families to drop in and out as they please. Parents will have the opportunity to share their experiences, opinions and questions—only if they feel comfortable doing so! This group will meet virtually on Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm-8:30pm.
  • Special Olympics Young Athletes (recommended ages: 2-7): Special Olympics Young Athletes is an early childhood play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities, ages 2 to 7 years old. Young Athletes introduces basic sport skills, like running, kicking and throwing. Young Athletes offers families, teachers, caregivers and people from the community the chance to share the joy of sports with all children. This program will be conducted through the Special Olympics of Tennessee. For more information, please reach out to Stacie Marshall at smarshall@specialolympicstn.org. This program will be offered virtually this fall. Once you register, Stacie from Special Olympics TN will be in contact with you regarding details for this program.
  • Music With Friends (recommended ages: 4-7): Music with Friends is a interactive program for young children and their caregivers to sing along and move around together! In this program, we will make crafts, sing along to our favorite songs & and engage in some gross motor activities! This program is designed to be fun and engaging for both participants and their caregivers! This program will meet bi-weekly on Monday afternoons from 4:30-5:15pm on the following dates: 8/31, 9/14, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19, 11/2, 11/16, 11/30.

School-Aged Children Group Programs

  • GiGi’s Kitchen (recommended ages 5-12): GiGi’s Kitchen is designed to emphasize the importance of health and wellness through nutrition education, kitchen safety, & food preparation. Participants will learn about and progress through skills including measurements, food handling, knife skills, ingredient identification, palette expansion, and nutrition. Participants will be introduced to various cooking techniques. GiGi’s Kitchen program will build participants self-esteem and self-confidence through nutrition and wellness! This program is recommended for ages 5-12. This program will require the supervision and assistance of a parent/caregiver at all times. Once you are registered for this program, our program leader will be in touch with everyone to choose dates/times that fit everyone’s schedule!
  • Yoga: Kids (recommended ages 8-12): Our Yoga program promotes healthy habits for a lifetime of wellness through a practice and routine that integrates physical, mental, and emotional development, helping participants develop personal awareness and learn specific strategies to maintain focus and manage emotions and impulses. Yoga for this age group will take place on Monday evenings from 5:00pm-5:45pm via GoToMeeting on the following dates: 8/31, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30.
  • GiGiFIT Kids (recommended ages: 8-12): Combines key movements from to help improve strength, balance, coordination, peer interaction and to build a lifelong love of physical activity. Physical Therapy Goals: Strength, Endurance, Joint Stability, Balance, Coordination, Sequencing, Independent Practice, Lifetime of Participation. Fitness Goals: Strength, Endurance, Power, Stamina. Balance and Coordination Goals: Joint Stability, Posture, Movement Control. Introduce fun, structured, and purposeful movement activities to lay the groundwork for daily exercise participation throughout life! This program will meet in person on Tuesday evenings from 5:45-6:45pm on the following dates: 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/17, 12/1. No sessions on 11/3, 11/10 or 11/24.
  • Super Sibs (recommended ages 7-14): Super Sibs is a special time for siblings of individuals with Down syndrome to talk about the good and the sometimes not-so-good moments of having a sibling with Down syndrome. Participants will share, play games, and have fun connecting with other siblings. This program will meet on Monday's from 6:15-7:00pm once a month on the following dates: 8/31, 9/28 10/26, 11/30.

Teens & Adults Group Programs

  • Teen-Tastic (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. Recommended for ages 13-17-year-olds. This program will meet virtually via GoToMeeting from 5:00pm-5:45pm on the following dates: 9/2, 9/16, 9/30, 10/14, 10/28, 11/11, (no session 11/25), 12/9.
  • GiGiFIT Teen (recommended ages 13-18; 18+): GiGiFIT Teen introduces the key movements of foundational , hip strengthening and vestibular/balance exercises, we focus on improving areas of fitness through activities in strength, endurance, joint stability, balance, movement control and more. GiGiFIT incorporates age appropriate activities that teens can be successful with and strengthen their bodies purposefully. GiGiFIT promotes wellness through nutrition, pushing through barriers and building self-confidence. Recommended for participants 13-18; 18+ years old. This program will meet on Monday’s from 6:00pm-6:45pm on the following dates: 8/31, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30.
  • GiGi’s Kitchen Teens & Adults (recommended ages: 13-18; 18+): GiGi’s Kitchen is designed to emphasize the importance of health and wellness through nutrition education, kitchen safety, & food preparation. Participants will learn about and progress through skills including measurements, food handling, knife skills, ingredient identification, palette expansion, and nutrition. Participants will be introduced to various cooking techniques. GiGi’s Kitchen program will build participants self-esteem and self-confidence through nutrition and wellness! This program is recommended for ages 13-18; 18+. This program will require the supervision and assistance of a parent/caregiver at all times. This virtual program will meet on 9/9, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, (no session on 11/4), 11/18, 12/2 from 6:00-7:00pm.
  • Yoga: Teens and Adults (recommended ages 13-18; 18+): Our Yoga program promotes healthy habits for a lifetime of wellness through a practice and routine that integrates physical, mental, and emotional development, helping participants develop personal awareness and learn specific strategies to maintain focus and manage emotions and impulses. Yoga for this age group will take place in person on Thursday’s and virtually on Saturday mornings this fall! Yoga will meet in person on: 9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12, 12/3 from 6:30-7:30pm. Yoga will meet virtually on: 9/12, 9/26, 10/10, 10/24, 11/21, 12/12 from 10:00am-11:00am.
  • E.P.I.C. (recommended ages 18+):  Empowerment, Participation, Independence, Community –  Provides opportunities for socialization and community involvement, while creating a fun and memorable experience for its participants. Participants work on vocational, communication, and social skills to boost confidence and encourage independence through goal oriented objectives. Recommended for ages 18+. This program will meet in person on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm on the following dates: 9/2, 9/16, 9/30, 10/14, 10/28, 11/11, (no session 11/25), 12/9.
Click Here to Register for Group Programs

If you have any questions about fall programs, please reach out to Carlie Long at clong@gigisplayhouse.org.