Registration for Spring 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)

· 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

Parent Networking Opportunities: “The Extra Connection”

In response to needs expressed by our community, GiGi’s has plans to launch new parent support groups to connect caregivers of kids and adults with Down syndrome with others in similar situations and seasons of life. These groups, called “The Extra Connection,” will meet in-person at GiGi’s in Brentwood and Gallatin once per month at times identified as ideal by each specific group to discuss age-related topics, hear from guest speakers, and build community with one another.

Initial age ranges for The Extra Connection parent groups will include:

· Preschool (ages 0-5)

· School-aged (ages 5-12)

· Teen (13-18)

· Adult (18+)

We are still gathering interest for this program so if you didn’t send your information in last semester and are interested in staying informed, please email nashville@gigisplayhouse.org with your name and the age group you’d be interested in joining, and we’ll be in touch soon!

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. 

BUSY BODIES (recommended ages 0-5) Busy Bodies is the perfect place for children with Down syndrome, their siblings, and friends of all abilities to meet new friends, learn, and grow, while parents have the opportunity to socialize and network with one another. Busy Bodies will take place on Saturday from 10:00am-11:00am on the following dates: 1/21, 2/18, 3/4, 4/15

CRAWLERS & WALKERS (recommended ages: 0-5) focuses on the development of gross and fine motor skills through activities that are hands-on and fun! Social skills and language development will also be addressed, with a focus on following directions and interacting with peers. This program will take place every other Saturday from 10:00am -11:00am on the following dates: 1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/11, 3/25, 3/8

PLAYHOUSE PALS (recommended ages: 5-8) – Supports the development of social skills and language through peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program also supports gross motor skills through active games, as well as fine motor skills & self-help skills. Playhouse Pals will meet on Wednesdays from 4:45pm-5:30pm on the following dates: 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12

MUSIC IN MOTION (recommended ages 8-12): Led by our friends in the Music Therapy department at Belmont, Music in Motion builds self-confidence and strengthens social skills, communication, and motor skills through the therapeutic use of music and dance. Music in Motion this spring will meet on Thursdays from 4:45-5:30pm on the following dates: 1/19, 1/26,2/2, 2/9,2/16,2/23, 3/2, 3/9,3/23, 3/30,4/6, 4/13

KIDS KITCHEN (recommended ages 9-14): 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, palette expansion, and nutrition. Participants will be introduced to various cooking techniques. The GiGi’s Kitchen Kids program will build participants self-esteem and self-confidence through nutrition and wellness! Kids Kitchen will meet on Monday from 5:30pm-6:30pm on the following dates: 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10

TEEN TASTIC (recommended ages: 13-18) Focuses on building social skills with friends 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. Teen Tastic will meet on Tuesdays from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm on the following dates: 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11,

TEEN AND ADULT YOGA (recommended ages 13-18+): 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. This program will take place in person every other Thursday from 6:00 pm -7:00 pm on the following dates: 1/19, 2/2, 2/16, 3/2, 3/30,4/13

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 Co-Leaders are Ms. Lauren and Ms. Kaitlyn, who pair participants from GiGi’s with volunteer fitness buddies to complete group workouts together. Fitness activities include: squats, sit-ups, press over head, deadlift, plate ground to overhead, 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). Thursdays from 6:30pm-7:30pm (dates subject to change dependent on gym availability).

FANTASTIC FRIENDS (recommended ages: 18+) A fun night out to facilitate social interactions between 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. Wednesday’s 6:00-7:30pm on the following dates: 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12

GiGi University (ages: 18+) – A comprehensive and progressive learning program tailored specifically for adults with Down syndrome comprised of a 15-week session made up of 3-days per week instructional program. GiGi U is designed for motivated adults with Down syndrome to achieve their highest potential in the real world while developing their abilities in the areas of wellness, communication and career skills with emphasis on job interviewing, communication skills, money management, public speaking, customer service, computer skills, team building and health. Tuesday – Thursday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

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

CRAWLERS & WALKERS (recommended ages: 1-5) focuses on the development of gross and fine motor skills through activities that are hands-on and fun! Social skills and language development will also be addressed, with a focus on following directions and interacting with peers. This program will take place on Saturdays from 9:30-10:30 AM on the following dates: 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/25, 4/1, 4/15 

PLAYHOUSE PALS (recommended ages: 5-8) supports the development of social skills and language through peer-to-peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program also supports gross motor skills through active games, as well as fine motor skills & self-help skills. Playhouse Pals will meet on Tuesdays from 5:00pm-6:00pm on the following dates: 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11 

GIRL SCOUTS (recommended ages: 5-18): Join us to make friends, try new things, earn badges, and have a whole lot of fun! Our Girl Scout Troop is open to GiGi’s girls between the ages of 5 and 18 and their female siblings. Come check out the excitement with other girls and make some great memories together.  We will meet one Sunday a month from 2:00-4:00pm at the Northfield in Gallatin. To register for this program or if you have questions, please contact gs2270troop@gmail.com 

MUSIC IN MOTION (recommended ages: 9-12): Tap into your inner rock star where every voice shines!  Music in Motion will build self-confidence, strengthen social skills, communication and motor skills through the therapeutic use of music and dance. Music in Motion in Sumner County will take place Tuesdays from 5:00pm-6:00pm on the following dates: 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11 

YOGA FOR TEENS AND ADULTS (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. This Yoga program will help participants develop more personal awareness and learn specific strategies to maintain focus and manage their emotions and impulses.  Yoga will meet on Thursdays from 5:00pm – 6:00pm on the following dates: 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/23, 3/30, 4/13 

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. Teen Tastic will take place on Tuesdays from 6:00pm – 7:00pm on the following dates: 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11

GIGI’S GAMES WITH FRIENDS (recommended ages: 18+) Designed to increase strategic thinking skills through fun and interactive games! Participants will put their literacy, math and fine motor skills to practical use during this exciting program.
This program will take place on Tuesdays from 6:00pm – 7:00pm on the following dates: 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11
 

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 (Brentwood)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AS A PROGRAM VOLUNTEER (Gallatin)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AS A TUTOR (all locations)

For any questions about spring 2023 programs or the registration process please email:
Brentwood – Carolanna, chirt@gigisplayhouse.org
Gallatin – Hayley, hmaurer@gigisplayhouse.org
Tutoring – Amy, ahirt@gigisplayhouse.org