We are so excited to be transitioning to some in-person programs! Actually, we’ll be offering many in a hybrid format; which means some in-person participants and some virtual participants.  We will continue to follow CDC guidelines and take all precautions necessary to keep our friends and families safe.

If joining us in person: A COVID-19 questionnaire will need to be completed at the entrance of the Playhouse. If vaccinated masks be removed. All others ( 2 and up) are required to wear masks. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

It will be important in the coming weeks/months to carefully read the description for each program and the RSVP for the attendance option you prefer. RSVPs will continue to be required as we are limited to the number of in-person participants. Please only RSVP your loved one with Down syndrome and one parent/guardian. At this time, second parents and siblings are asked to not attend.

Local Group Programs

HYBRID: Family Speaker Series: Know What To Say (Part 2)

Thursday, June 17th, from 5:30-6:30 PM.

This is designed to provide parents/grandparents of pre-teens and teens with information on how to communicate effectively about sex with their children and/or grandchildren. Tips are available on how to communicate effectively, as well as what to say and how to say it.

This session will be lead by an instructor from Bethany for Children and Families that also happens to be a mom of a pre-teen with Down syndrome. She will share the curriculum mentioned below but also discuss how she is using and presenting the information to her own daughter.

An opportunity will be provided to ask questions of the facilitators and/or visit the “Know What to Say” website for additional information, which is located on the Bethany for Families webpage.

Click HERE to RSVP for Thursday, June 17th, from 5:30-6:30 PM.

HYBRID: LMNOP

(Language, Music N’ Our Peeps (0-3 years)

Saturday, June 12th at 9:30 am

There will be individual bags of instruments for each participant, so no sharing of items will take place. We will also be using the parachute to help with social distancing!

LMNOP is an interactive and engaging program for children age newborn to 3 years old. It guides parents and young children through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication using music and language-based activities.

LMNOP supports the therapeutic-based development of young children with Down syndrome with goals of achieving the following:

• Introduce and practice the use of basic signs/gestures/pictures to support language development.
• Increase language development, with a focus on vocabulary development, following basic directions, and social interaction with peers using music, stories, and play.

In addition, the family will receive a Best of All book to build knowledge and:

• Understand the purpose behind all of GiGi’s Playhouse programs.
• Implement activities at home to build skills and increase language and communication development.

Are you interested in being a program host family for this program? Please contact Pam at plynch@gigisplayhouse.org or (309)762-PLAY (7529) for more information.

Please read the RSVP links carefully- there are two options! You can now RSVP for virtual programming or in-person. 

Click HERE to RSVP for Hybrid LMNOP on Saturday, June 12th, from 9:30 am-10:30 am!

HYBRID: Teen Tastic (12 – 17 years)

Friday, June 11th and June 25th from 6-8 PM.

This group promotes friendship, social interactions, communication through a variety of social activities, outings, and games for teens.  Recommended for all teens ages 13-17. Participants in Teen Tastic gain confidence, leadership skills, and empowerment while working as part of a team or on individual projects and tasks.  If you, or your child, are looking for opportunities to socialize, practice your leadership skills, and be a part of amazing creative projects, then Teen Tastic is the right group for you!

Teen Tastic supports the therapeutic-based development of individuals with Down syndrome. Our goals include achieving the following:

• social skills increase, with a focus on group participation and increasing leisure activity options.
• language development increase, with a focus on appropriateness, maintaining conversation, and non-verbal social language.
• Increase gross motor skills, with a focus on general health, fitness (strength and balance), and awareness of personal space.
• Increase fine motor skills & self-help skills through participation in various activities.

RSVPs are required. Please read the RSVP links carefully- there are two options! 

If you have any questions, please contact us at 309-762-7529 or programsquadcities@gigisplayhouse.org

Click here to RSVP for Friday, June 11th from 6-8 PM!

Click here to RSVP for Friday, June 25th from 6-8 PM!

HYBRID: Fantastic Friends (18 years and up)

Friday, June 11th and June 25th from 6-8 PM.

Fantastic Friends is an interactive and engaging program recommended for adults ages 18 and up. This program is built to include adults with Down syndrome and those without Down syndrome. We support the development of social skills and language through peer-to-peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. Adult participants participate in the planning of activities so that everything the group does is based on interests. During Fantastic Friends, the group may explore their local community by participating in outings and events. This program may also support gross motor skills through active games.

Fantastic Friends supports therapeutic-based development of individuals with Down syndrome, with goals of achieving the following:

• Increase social skills, with a focus on group participation and increasing leisure activity options.
• Increase language development, with a focus on appropriateness, maintaining conversation and non-verbal social language.
• Increase gross motor skills, with a focus on general health, fitness (strength and balance), and awareness of personal space.

In addition, the family will receive a Best of All book to build knowledge and:

• Understand the purpose behind all of GiGi’s Playhouse programs.
• Implement activities at home to build skills and increase language development

If you have any questions, please contact us at 309-762-7529 or programsquadcities@gigisplayhouse.org

RSVPs are required. Please read the RSVP links carefully- there are two options! 

Click here to RSVP for Friday, June 11th from 6-8 PM!

Click here to RSVP for Friday, June 25th from 6-8 PM!

Gratitude Committee (13+)

Calling our friends 13 years old and up: Help us thank our donors and volunteers! We need you and your artistic skills.

We will be meeting here at the Playhouse, so please bring your mask and be ready to get creative!

CLICK HERE to RSVP for Wednesday, June 16th, from 10-11 AM.

Music (0-6)

Applications are OPEN! The deadline for RSVP/registration is Monday, June 7th at noon. RSVPs/Registrations are required as space is limited!

Come move, sing, and play instruments with us as we address communication, following directions, and so much more! This program will be held both in-person and virtually. Please note that there will be two types of RSVP tickets to reflect this.

Register for this 8-week music therapy session for ages 0-6 years that will be held every Wednesday. There will be instrument packages provided for participants.

These music therapy sessions are provided by West Music and we work with a board-certified music therapist!

You are registering to attend all dates as follows:
June 16, June 23rd, June 30th, July 7th, July 14th, July 21st, July 28th, and August 4th

Please read the RSVP links carefully- there are two options! You can now RSVP for virtual or in-person. 

Click HERE to register for Music!

HYBRID Leaps and Bounds (3-5)

Leaps & Bounds is a play-based program for children ages 3-5 that focuses on success in preschool and kindergarten.

We are now offering this as a hybrid program! Please read the RSVP links carefully- there are two options now! You can RSVP for virtual programming or in-person. Registration is required and closes on June 11th at noon.

• Program dates are: June 21st, June 28th, July 19th, July 26th

Students will participate in fun and engaging activities that provide opportunities for following routines, small group participation, movement, and interaction with their environment. Family members are key participants in this program and will encourage their child to reach his or her Best of All throughout each session.

Leaps & Bounds supports therapeutic-based development of individuals with Down syndrome, with goals to achieve the following:​

• Increase social skills, with a focus on eye contact, imaginary play, simple interactions with peers, attending, transitions, and following routines. ​
• Increase fine motor skills with a focus on table-top tasks. Such as writing, cutting manipulating small objects to complete puzzles, thread beads, create art projects, etc. ​
• Increase gross motor skills, with a focus on general strengthening, balance, and navigating obstacles.  We work on visual motor skills (the coordination of visual information that is perceived and processed with motor skills) when we are using gross motor or fine motor skills. ​
• Academic Support, with a focus on pre-number skills, number sense, and beginning literacy.
• Increase language development, with a focus on listening, following directions & communication

In addition, the family will receive a Best of All book to build knowledge and:

• Understand the purposeful progression of skills in children ages three through five.
• Implement activities at home to build skills and increase language development

CLICK HERE to RSVP for Hybrid Leaps and Bounds!

Are you interested in being a program host family for this program? Please contact Pam at plynch@gigisplayhouse.org or (309)762-PLAY (7529) for more information.

Volunteer at GiGi’s

VIRTUAL New Volunteer Orientation

Join us as our National Office holds two virtual New Volunteer Orientations on June 8th and June 24th!

GiGi’s is a volunteer-run organization. New volunteers must attend an orientation to learn more about GiGi’s, Down syndrome, and the volunteer process. Come learn about all of the GiGi’s Playhouse programs and events and how you can get involved.

With over 3,900 volunteer hours at GiGi’s Playhouse Quad Cities in 2019, we cannot do what we do without our amazing volunteers and we make training a priority!

If you have not completed the Volunteer Interest Form via our website yet, please do so prior to attending the orientation. 

Click here to RSVP for 6/8 @ 6 PM.

Click here to RSVP for 6/24 @ 6 PM.

GiGi’s At Home Programs

GiGi’s at Home offers live virtual programs and programs on demand with participants from around the world!  Yes, around the WORLD!

Click HERE to explore the site and view current program offerings.

GiGi’s at Home On Demand is our way of bringing 150+ purposeful programs to you at a time that is convenient for you. You will have access to program recordings, lesson plans, and activities to use when you are ready.

GiGi’s at Home Live is our way of bringing 28+ purposeful programs to you every week at a specific time. This allows you to interact with our volunteer program leaders and fellow participants engaging in purposeful activities designed for your loved one’s age group.

Coming Soon…

GiGiFIT Infant

Applications are OPEN! The deadline to apply is June 30th.

GiGiFIT Infant is a hybrid, application-based program lasting for 12 weeks.  

This program has a start date of Saturday, July 10th, and will continue till September 25th.

GiGiFIT Infant introduces the concepts of foundational movements, mobility activities, visual-vestibular activities, and reflex integration. 

• Physical Therapy Goals: Strength, Endurance, Joint Stability, Balance, Coordination, Sequencing, Motor Imitation, Gross Motor Milestone Achievement 
• Balance & Coordination: Joint Stability, Posture, Movement Control 
• Primitive Reflex Integration: Fluid ease of movement 
• Make Movement FUN!

If you choose virtual as the option, please see your email for the link to attend weekly!

If you do choose to attend in person, masks must be worn, and a COVID health screening will be filled out by a staff member at the time of your arrival.

Click HERE to apply for GiGiFIT Infant!