February Program Buzz
Programs at GiGi’s Playhouse offer foundational learning opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.
Destination Discovery (all ages)
February 1 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Destination Discovery is an interactive and engaging program for participants of all ages and their families. We support the development of motor skills, social skills, and language through purposeful play and peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program also brings families together to share experiences and build relationships.
Destination Discovery is for all ages!! Invite your friends & please RSVP so we can be prepared for all our friends!
Visit us on Facebook to learn this month’s theme and purposeful activities.
Karate Kickers (8+ years)
February 7, 14, 21 and 28 @ 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
The benefits of karate for people with Down syndrome are endless. Karate focuses on development of balance, coordination, discipline, focus, attention, physical fitness and confidence. There will be no physical contact between peers. Recommended for youths with Down syndrome ages 8 and up.
Goals:
· Increase self-esteem
· Develop cognitive processing skills
· Learn to follow basic visual and verbal instructions
· Improve gross motor skills, coordination and balance
** This is by pre-registration only. For information on the next session, please email hrodriguez@gigisplayhouse.org. **
LMNOP (0-3 years)
February 8 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Language, Music N’ Our Peeps guides parents and infants/toddlers through learning basic sign language and through incorporating music and dance therapy into daily activities, to stimulate the child. Recommended for children 6-36 months old.
Friends of all abilities are welcome! #inclusion
Please RSVP so we can be properly prepared!
Volunteer Orientation
February 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Are you interested in learning more about volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse? Please join us for an hour of information. You will learn a bit about Down syndrome, the way GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse is supporting individuals with Down syndrome and how you can use your talents to help the mission of GiGi’s Playhouse!
Volunteer Needs include – Program Leaders, Program helpers, Administrative, Cleaners, Event & Group Volunteering Opportunities!
Please let us know you are coming by signing up HERE!
Open Play (all ages)
February 15 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
This program invites families and their friends to the Playhouse for playtime! Open Play helps promote positive beginnings for new families with a child with Down syndrome, creates awareness opportunities for peers and friends, as well as support and networking for current families. Come ready for fun and a crazy good time!
Please RSVP so we know you are joining us!
Adult participants, this is a great opportunity to volunteer and be mentors to our younger friends!
Art Explosion
February 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
This program provides hands on experience with multiple art media and provides an outlet for individuals with Down syndrome to express themselves, build confidence and socialize with peers.
This program for ages 8 and up will be creating art pieces to auction at our Gala in April. We will meet every other Monday through March.
Please RSVP so we have enough supplies for everyone!
Gratitude Committee (20+ years)
February 18 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join this core group of adult volunteers (ages 20+) to hand-craft thank you cards for our amazing donors, as well as assist the office with other playhouse projects. We provide the supplies, you provide the gratitude!
Please RSVP here!
Fantastic Friends (17+ years)
February 20 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join us each month as we do something new and fun! We want to hear what you would like to do! So bring your ideas and we will help you host a Fantastic Friends night.
During this program, we aim to promote positive peer relationships, encourage relationships in the community, and develop our social skills!! Invite your friends, everyone is welcome and inclusion is celebrated!
Please RSVP so we know who will be joining us!
For the most up to date on our monthly activities please follow us on Facebook.
Family Fun Day: Pet Partners
February 22 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
We are so excited to welcome our friends from Pet Partners to the playhouse for a Family Fun Day on Saturday, February 22!
Therapy dog Mason will be bringing his human friend Tom to teach us about dog safety and pet therapy. We will also have some fun dog themed activities to help get us through the “dog days” of Winter.
Please RSVP so we have a “ruff” idea of how many are coming and we can plan our activities accordingly.
Music In Motion
February 24 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
This program is designed to build self confidence, strengthen social skills, communication and motor skills through the therapeutic use of music and dance.
In this session, ages 8 and up will be learning a song and practicing different handheld instruments in preparation to sing at our Gala in April. We will meet every other Monday through March as well as April 13 and 20.
Please let us know you will be joining in the fun by RSVPing!
Friends, Fun & Fitness (12+ years)
February 25 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Join us for a fun & exciting time! This one-hour workout session focuses on building muscle tone and endurance, and is open to individuals with Down syndrome & their friends of all abilities (12 & up)! Each week we will encourage each other to give our #bestofall.
Goals:
· Increase knowledge and understanding of the importance of physical activity for teens/ young adults with DS
· Increase physical activity levels through various types of exercise
· Motivate participants to independently practice various physical activities at home/ in the community.
Please RSVP so we know you are joining us!
Gluten Free Cooking (12+ years)
February 25 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Get cooking with your friends at GiGi’s! This program is geared toward building safety awareness in the kitchen and preparing healthy, gluten-free recipes that taste great. During each program, we will make and eat a gluten-free entree and dessert to enjoy!
Recommended for youth, teens and adults (12 & up).
Please RSVP so we have enough food for everyone!
GiGi’s Day at Speach Family Candy Shoppe
February 29 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Since we are all about celebrating our “extra” here at GiGi’s Playhouse, we will be spending the extra day in February taking over the Speach Family Candy Shoppe and closing out our month in their “10 Decades of Giving” event!
Please stop into the Shoppe from 11am-2pm to pick up some goodies and say hello to some of your favorite friends. We will be there spreading all the goodness GiGi’s has to offer!
As we at GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse look to add more and more FREE purposeful programming we need you! Family input, volunteer hosts, family hosts, etc. Always feel free to contact us with questions or suggestions on how we can make your GiGi’s experience the very best! syracuse@gigisplayhouse.org.
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