Importance of Early Exposure and Inclusion

Hello, our GiGi’s community!  

We had the pleasure of welcoming a wonderful group of sixth graders from Christ the King Vacation Bible School. These young volunteers spent their morning helping us brighten and organize our playhouse, assembling informational folders and creating a vibrant, beautiful banner to encourage others to volunteer and support our cause.  

Not only did they volunteer, but this visit was also about educating and learning. One of the most meaningful aspects of their visit was a conversation about Down syndrome in general—what it is, what it isn’t, and why understanding it matters. We also taught them about the importance of GiGi’s Playhouse, how it is helping the community, and why our volunteers are so important. We found that many of the children were familiar with what a disability was generally, but not exactly what Down syndrome was. Many of them provided vague answers, yet still technically correct, while others simply did not know what Down syndrome was or had an incorrect misinterpretation of it.  

With this information, it is apparent how vital early education and awareness are on topics such as these. Through our conversation, we corrected them on what Down syndrome is so that they can carry this information with them and educate others. We also asked them if they have ever interacted with someone with Down syndrome and if they have a direct connection with someone with it/ another disability. We found that 41% of the group reported having interacted with someone who has Down syndrome. We also found that 41% of the group has a direct connection with someone who has a disability. This emphasizes that our young population needs to have greater exposure to this community so that they can grasp a better understanding. We can continue to educate our little ones, but applying this knowledge to the real world and expanding our understanding through firsthand experiences goes a long way. 41% is not a low number, although this has some pros and cons. These individuals stated that they have a connection with somebody who has Down syndrome or another disability, while previously showing that they do not understand what Down syndrome is. Regardless of the circumstances, it is strongly encouraged to have an understanding of this population, but it is especially crucial when you have a connection to somebody with it. It is human nature to want others to understand us, but someone with a disability may feel this to a deeper degree, hence why it is even more critical to learn about disabilities when you are connected to somebody with one. Thankfully, having a direct connection and interacting with individuals with Down syndrome gives you an even more substantial potential to learn and be involved with this population. 

Although the students may not have had much prior knowledge about Down syndrome, they consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of inclusion and empathy. Despite not necessarily understanding this population, they recognized that their differences do not change how they should be treated. The way that they discussed this was thoughtful and wise beyond their years, which was incredible to see. They expressed that everybody deserves to be included and never left out, even pointing out that “just because someone is different, doesn’t mean we have to treat them differently.”  

These seeds of information that we plant in conversations like these later grow as they are carried into adolescence and adulthood, creating empathetic adults filled with gratitude and building a more compassionate and inclusive society. We hope to continue improving, fostering empathy, benevolence, and growth within our future generations. We would love to continue celebrating our differences, learning about them, and not ignoring them. We are beyond thankful here at GiGi’s Playhouse to have had this opportunity with CTK Vacation Bible School. We hope to inspire you to continue learning, growing, and sharing your compassion wherever you go. Let’s continue creating spaces where people of all abilities are welcomed, celebrated, and empowered. Every interaction matters. Every conversation counts. 

If you are interested in volunteering at our Playhouse, please fill out our volunteer interest form here: Volunteer Interest Form