Registration for Summer 2022 Tutoring and Group Programs in Brentwood is Now Open!

Registration for Summer 2022 Programming in Brentwood is Now Open!

Registration for our free therapeutic and educational programming in Brentwood this summer is now open, and it will remain open until May 27th. Information on Sumner County programming will be available soon.

The summer semester will start the week of May 29th and will go through the week of July 24th. Exact program dates are listed by each program below.

We are excited to offer the following programs out of our Brentwood location this spring:

One-on-One Educational Tutoring

• 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

Please Note: you will need to create a My GiGi’s Account and register for your desired program through our website calendar, located here: www.gigisplayhouse.org/nashville/calendar

Click here for more information on My GiGi’s Accounts, to log in, or to create your account

LMNOP  (recommended ages: 0-5): Language, Music, N’ Our Peeps is an interactive program that guides young children with Down syndrome and their families through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication using music and language-based activities. LMNOP will take place on Saturdays from 10:00am – 11:00am on the following dates: 6/4, 6/11, 6/17, 6/24, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30

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 Tuesdays from 10:00am -11:00am on the following dates: 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26

CREATIVE EXPLORATION (recommended ages: 5-8) is focused on fun and engaging activities that encourage children to explore the world around them. Sometimes indoors and sometimes outdoors, this program will incorporate science experiments and hands-on projects to develop fine and gross motor skills, increase focus and ability to participate in structured activities, and promote teamwork and collaboration. Creative Exploration will meet on Mondays from 4:30pm – 5:30pm on the following dates: 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27, 7/11, 7/18.

GIGIFIT KIDS (recommended ages: 5-8) will use structured and purposeful movement to lay the groundwork for daily exercise throughout life! This program will help improve strength, balance, coordination, and peer interactions through an assortment of fun activities and games. GiGiFIT Kids will meet on Wednesdays from 4:30pm – 5:30pm on the following dates: 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27

VIRTUAL – GIGI’S KITCHEN KIDS (recommended ages: 7-13) 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. This program will require the supervision and assistance of a parent/caregiver at all times. This program will meet VIRTUALLY on Tuesdays from 11:30am – 12:30pm (just in time for lunch!) on the following dates: 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26

KIDS YOGA (recommended ages: 7-13) 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 the ability to maintain focus and manage emotions and impulses. Kids Yoga will be led by Elise Hirt on Wednesdays from 6:00pm-6:45pm on the following dates: 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27

TEEN 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 the ability to maintain focus and manage emotions and impulses. Teen Yoga will be led by Elise Hirt on Wednesdays from 7:00pm-7:45pm on the following dates: 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27

TEENTASTIC (recommended ages: 13-18) focuses on building social skills by participating in group-based activities in a casual and fun setting. This summer, puberty-related topics will be addressed such as personal space, appropriate touching and interactions with others, physical and online safety, and interpersonal feelings. Teentastic will take place on Mondays from 6:00pm – 7:00pm on the following dates: 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25

EPIC (Empowerment, Participation, Independence, & Community Involvement) (recommended ages: 18+) provides opportunities for socialization and community involvement while creating a fun and memorable experience. Participants work on vocational, communication, and social skills to boost confidence and encourage independence through goal-oriented objectives. EPIC this summer will be led by Carlie Long and Tatianna Balis, and will take place on Tuesdays from 5:30pm – 7:30pm on the following dates: 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26

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) every other Thursday from 6:30-7:30pm, on the following dates this summer: 6/2, 6/16, 6/30, 7/14, 7/28

ADULT YOGA (recommended ages: 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 the ability to maintain focus and manage emotions and impulses. Adult Yoga will be led by Danielle Carder every other Thursday from 6:30pm-7:30pm on the following dates: 6/9, 6/23, 7/7, 7/21

SPECIAL EVENT

GiGiFit Acceptance Challenge (all ages): Please join us on Saturday, June 4th at Franklin Road Academy for our first annual 5k, 1 Mile Walk for Acceptance, and Kids Dash for Down Syndrome! It will be a great opportunity to raise critical funds for GiGi’s while having a blast with others in the community. Click here for more information: www.gigisplayhouse.org/nashville/acceptancechallenge.

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 making 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

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AS A PROGRAM VOLUNTEER

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AS A TUTOR

If you have any questions about summer 2022 programs or the registration process, please reach out to Brittany Farr at bfarr@gigisplayhouse.org.