Let’s Talk Sensory Play!
The Pyramid of Learning (seen to the left) begins the conversation of how foundational sensory systems are for all other learning and development. How can we tap into these sensory systems? We can do that through Sensory Play. Sensory play can be any activity that stimulates the senses. It is...
Forward is an Amazing Way to Go…We are Expanding!
Two and a half years ago we opened our Playhouse doors, and operated 100% by volunteers for the first year. As we grew we welcomed new families, expanded our volunteer database and programming options and was able to hire our first staff, Erica! Things have not slowed down and today...
Thanking Corbyn Everyday!
My husband and I quickly learned 8 hours after I gave birth to my son, Corbyn, that doctors and nurses had suspected a chromosome abnormality, Down syndrome to be exact. It was a draining week-long waiting process of depression, anger, and denial until we received the final confirmed chromosome test. ...
Have your Organization be a Catalyst for Change
We are EXCITED to host our 3rd Annual 5K GLOW Fun Run/Walk on June 10, 2023 at the Aspirus YMCA! GiGi’s Playhouse is UNITING across race, gender, abilities, beliefs, and more because every person deserves to be ACCEPTED as they are. Our incredible family and friends living with Down syndrome...
What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs when a person has an extra partial or full chromosome 21. There are three types of down syndrome including Trisomy 21 (Nondisjuction), Mosaicism Down syndrome, and Translocation Down syndrome. These terms refer to the different errors in cell division that result in...
GiGi’s Playhouse Wausau Year in Review…What an Amazing Year!
2022 was a year of growth, achievements, and lots of hard work by volunteers, participants, and staff! So much happened, many being firsts but defintely not lasts. Among all the fun events, family parties at the Playhouse or in the community we cannot forget all the achievements made by participants...
Holiday Gift Giving with a Purpose!
Don’t forget that offering experiences can a great gift that lasts throughout the year. A pass to swim at a local indoor pool during winter, a pass to the childrens museum; try skating at Greenheck Field House (they have red gliders for those who don’t skate to push on the...
Destination Discovery Programming November Highlight
Missed out on Destination Discovery programming this month? No problem! Here is a sneak peek of one of the turkey themed activities that participants did this month! Feel free to try this activity at home. Better yet - send GiGi’s Wausau pictures of your family doing this fun activity together!...
Development, Inspiration, Growth, and Awards at National Conference
2022 GiGi’s National Leadership Conference Every November, GiGi’s dedicates almost a week of training and development for our national network of Playhouses through the National Leadership Conference. This year, close to 60 Playhouse locations including many startups joined together for networking and learning opportunities related to our mission. Although...
Growing Confidence with GiGi’s Seed to Sale!
I love plants. Like really, really love them. I love planting and growing them; watering and weeding them. I love the variety of colors and textures they come in. I love that they feed our pollinators and birds. And yes, I definitely love eating them too! But I didn’t always...
Our Family Story-Life With Annalisa
Our journey with Annalisa started out as a bit of a nightmare with her extensive heart defects. She lived her whole first year with an oxygen tank accompanying her everywhere that she had to go. She underwent one heart operation at 3 months of age and then a major reconstruction...
Welcome Pa Houa Lee to Wausau’s Board of Managers!
Tell us a little about yourself (family, employment, how you spend your free time, etc.). I am a refugee. I was born in the Ban Vinai refugee camp in Thailand and raised in America. My sponsors were from the east coast and that was where I began my journey as a Hmong American...