LMNOP Turns One: A Year of First Words, First Steps, and Growing Together

GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa celebrates one year of Language Music N’ Our Peeps, helping our youngest participants build communication skills while families build community. 

When we launched LMNOP at GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa on April 5, 2025, our goal was simple: create a welcoming space where families with babies and toddlers could begin their journey with the Playhouse together. One year later, it has grown into something even more special — a weekly gathering where children celebrate milestones, parents support one another, and our community grows stronger with every song, sign, and smile. 

At GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa, we believe early support and inclusive community experiences help individuals with Down syndrome thrive. LMNOP reflects that mission by creating a joyful early childhood program from parents that receive a pre- natal diagnosis all the way to 36 month old’s and their caregivers. 

What began as a new program filled with excitement and curiosity quickly grew into one of the Playhouse’s most meaningful and consistently attended weekly offerings. Over the past year, LMNOP has become far more than a class — it’s a place where families connect, children grow, and joyful learning happens every week. 

LMNOP focuses on building early communication skills through engaging experiences that combine music, basic sign language, storytelling, and play. Through songs, circle time, and structured activities, children begin developing expressive and receptive language skills while also learning important social skills like turn-taking, following directions, and interacting with peers. 

Just as important as the children’s development, is the active involvement of parents and caregivers. Families participate alongside their children, ask questions, and practice the skills they learn together, throughout the week. The result is a shared learning experience where children and caregivers grow together. 

Over the past year, the progress we’ve seen has been incredibly inspiring. Families and volunteers have celebrated incredible best of all moments— from first steps to first words — while watching children gain confidence in their ability to communicate and engage with others. 

A huge part of LMNOP’s success has been the leadership of our incredible program leads: Ayatt, Kayla, and Mattie. Their creativity, energy, and dedication help make every session welcoming, structured, and fun for both children and caregivers. 

LMNOP has also strengthened connections across the broader GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa community. Through the program, we had the opportunity to meet Board Members Jennifer and Daniel Trujillo, whose introduction to the Playhouse began through LMNOP. Moments like this remind us that programs not only support participants but also help build the community that sustains our mission. 

While many Playhouse programs meet every other week, LMNOP quickly became a strong weekly anchor program, giving families a consistent place to return to for support, connection, and shared experiences during the earliest stages of childhood. 

For many families, that consistency has made a meaningful impact. As parent Erin Nichols shared about her son John: 

“I’ve noticed how much consistent participation has helped John to open up and feel comfortable, which is why I am always willing to help the program stay strong and running smoothly. LMNOP has been a huge help in establishing a positive and inclusive family as we all navigate early childhood for our extraordinary kiddos. Solid communication foundations are exceptionally important for any child, but ours have different hurdles that require more intimate time and thoughtfulness. LMNOP, for us, has been essential. I’m looking forward to what this new year brings!” 

As we celebrate this first anniversary, we’re also looking ahead with excitement. Some of our earliest participants will soon transition into programs like Leaps & Bounds, bringing the skills and confidence they developed in LMNOP with them, while new families continue joining and bringing fresh energy to the program. 

One year in, LMNOP has become so much more than a program. It’s a place where children take their first steps in communication, parents find encouragement and community, and families build lasting connections. 

To learn more about upcoming LMNOP sessions or to register for the program, visit our program calendar (gigisplayhouse.org/tampa/calendar) or reach out to the GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa team at [email protected]. We can’t wait to see what new best of all moments and memories year two will bring!