Reading is a vital life skill where doors, otherwise closed, will open up for individuals with Down syndrome in the workplace, schools and the community. Developing reading skills leads to improvements in speech and language development, auditory perceptual skills and working memory function.<\/p>\n
Lexi has been attending GiGi\u2019s since we opened three years ago. She loves the reading programs at the Playhouse and hanging out with friends while she is there.<\/p>\n
Since coming to the Playhouse, Lexi’s reading has improved significantly. \u201cShe has really taken an interest in reading, and her level of reading has improved dramatically since she started GiGi’s reading program,\u201d explained Lexi’s mom, Lesley. \u00a0In fact, out of all the events and programs at GiGi\u2019s, Lexi says reading is her favorite thing about the Playhouse.<\/p>\n
Lexi proudly takes home one or two books that were worked on during her session and the vocabulary cards that correspond to the books she is reading, so she can practice reading every night. \u00a0Individuals with Down syndrome learn whole words then the specific phonemes (sounds) for each word, so they can spell the words.<\/p>\n
Lexi likes to use the words in sentences and spelling them with the lettergrams we use at the Playhouse. She enjoys reading daily to her family.<\/p>\n