A Note of Gratitude: Galen’s Growth and Milestones with GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse

“Dear GiGi’s Virtual Team, 

We want you to know how much we love your programs and teachers. You have made a profound difference in our lives, and it’s hard to believe how much growth has happened for Galen since he started attending programs in September!” 

New Signs of Communication: The Impact of LMNOP 

“Galen signed ‘excited’ several times recently, and I know that he got that from LMNOP, even though he pretends not to pay too much attention. Up until this development, the only other emotion he had a word or sign for was ‘happy,’ so this is a wonderful, big step. I love LMNOP, thank you for letting us participate!” 

A Personal Connection: Galen’s Literacy Tutoring 

“Most of all, thank you for Galen’s literacy tutoring. He adores Jaida, and I am so grateful for her expertise, patience, and caring in working with him. He is really invested in their time together. I believe he used his first intentional two-word instruction on his AAC device during their most recent session. I’ve never seen him do that before, and I was completely floored. He said, ‘More. Do.’ He made a similar statement again later in the session.” 

Building Blocks of Literacy: Alphabet Awareness and Beyond 

“He has continued to build on alphabet awareness and has lists of memorized words that go together with letter sounds, which he repeats or sings to himself off and on all day long. This week, however, I am also seeing the beginnings of a new level of reading skill! Galen is starting to (completely independently) recognize and pronounce the beginning sound of a word by seeing the word and noticing the letter that the word starts with. I can see that he is analyzing the first letter and thinking about what sound it makes. He does this when playing or seeing words in books that he is looking at by himself. I don’t even have words for how exciting this is.” 

Overcoming Challenges: Continuing to Thrive 

“All of this is happening during a time when he has decreased hearing due to the effects of an illness this winter, and I know that he is only continuing to progress because of your expert, multi-sensory programs and the huge amount of caring of the people who provide them.” 

A Year of Growth and Gratitude 

“These are just a few highlights of an amazing year filled with growth. We are so grateful for you all.” 

Love, 

Cevan, Galen, and Family 

GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse’s 1:1 literacy tutoring and virtual programs, like LMNOP, have made a significant impact on Galen’s development. His journey is a testament to the power of personalized education and the dedication of the amazing team at GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse. We look forward to more milestones and growth in the future! 

Braden Spotlight

💫 Celebrating Braden’s “Best of All” Moment at the Virtual Playhouse 

At GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse, we believe that every step forward, big or small, deserves to be celebrated. For Braden and his family, one recent moment captured the true spirit of “Best of All,” and it’s one they’ll never forget.  During a recent virtual program, Braden joined his peers for a session led by our incredible…

David Spotlight

Finding Joy in the Virtual Playhouse: David’s Inspiring Journey with GiGi’s 

When Joyce and her son David moved from sunny Fort Myers, Florida, to the scenic mountains of Western North Carolina, one of their biggest concerns was how to stay connected with the vibrant community they had grown to love at GiGi’s Playhouse. Back in Florida, they were regulars—Joyce even volunteered as a co-coach for the…

_VPH Volunteer Spotlight- Chloe MC

Building Strength and Confidence: Chloe’s Journey at GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse 

Chloe is a genetic counseling student who has found an incredible way to merge her passion for advocacy with her love of fitness through GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse. In her work in the genetic counseling field, she supports many individuals with Down syndrome and their families, and she quickly realized that true advocacy isn’t confined to…

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