Posts by Laura Krueger
Finding Joy in Every Sign: Hazel’s Journey with LMNOP at GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse
For many families, connection is built in the quiet, everyday moments—the ones that might seem small from the outside but carry so much meaning at home. For Hazel Holt and her family, those moments are happening each week through GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse LMNOP program, where music, movement, and early communication come together in a way…
Read MoreTurning Math Upside-Down (Literally!): Maggie’s Lightbulb Moment
How a vertical number line helped one student unlock confidence and accuracy By Katie Buss, BSW Intern, Aurora University & GiGi’s Playhouse Virtual Playhouse Tutor (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026) When you meet 12-year-old Maggie, you immediately notice her spark. This fifth-grader from Massachusetts brings enthusiasm, humor, and heart to every tutoring session. Whether she’s talking about cheerleading (“GO EAGLES!”), gymnastics,…
Read MoreVolunteer at GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse: Meet Intern Hannah
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to volunteer at GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse, Hannah’s story is the perfect place to start. Her experience captures what makes this community so special—connection, growth, and those small but powerful moments that stay with you long after a program ends. At GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse, everything we do is…
Read MoreStronger Every Day: A Story of Growth, Reading, and Community
March always feels special here at GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse. It’s National Reading Month, a time to celebrate literacy and all the ways learning opens doors for our participants. And it’s also when we celebrate something that means so much to our entire community—World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st. Together, these moments capture what GiGi’s is all about: growth, opportunity,…
Read MoreElian’s Love for Reading with GiGi’s Online 1:1 Literacy Tutoring
Elian has been part of GiGi’s Online 1:1 Literacy Tutoring program for almost two years, and his mom has shared what a joy it’s been to watch him grow. From a very early age, Elian showed a love for books. By the time he was one, he was already holding books upright, turning the pages as best he could,…
Read MoreStretch, Breathe, Celebrate: Life in Our Online Yoga Program
Since we launched our online programming back in 2020, our Online Yoga program has been a pillar of consistency and connection for families everywhere. Every week, no matter what’s going on in the world, our friends have been able to log on, stretch, breathe, and share a moment of peace. Fridays have become a special day for…
Read MoreBuilding Confidence Through Numbers: Blair’s Journey with GiGi’s Virtual Tutoring
When Sarah first heard about GiGi’s Playhouse, her daughter Blair was just two years old. At the time, Blair was too young to join, but Sarah learned that once Blair turned three, she could begin GiGi’s Literacy and Math Tutoring Programs. That milestone became something Sarah and her family looked forward to. Because they live…
Read MoreJaquai’s Journey: Learning, Growing, and Thriving at GiGi’s Playhouse
Every week, Jaquai lights up when she logs on for her Literacy and Math tutoring sessions at GiGi’s Playhouse. What started as lessons in reading and numbers has transformed into something far bigger: the ability to communicate, express her desires, and navigate the world with confidence. Her Literacy tutor beams about her determination, noting how…
Read MoreGiGi’s Virtual Playhouse Volunteer Spotlight: Connecting Across Continents with Tola
At GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse, volunteers bring energy, creativity, and heart to every program—helping children with Down syndrome thrive across continents and cultures. One inspiring volunteer is Tola, whose journey began thousands of miles away in Nigeria. Discovering GiGi’s Playhouse Tola’s connection with GiGi’s Playhouse began in 2016 during a trip to Minnesota. Two years earlier,…
Read MoreCelebrating Emilee’s Best of All: A Virtual Playhouse Story
At just 7 months old, Emilee is already making waves in the GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse community! She’s been participating in LMNOP (Language, Music N’ Our Peeps) since she was just 2 months old, and in that time, she’s shown us all what Best of All truly looks like. Each week, Miss Emilee becomes more interactive,…
Read More