Welcome to the GiGi’s Playhouse 1:1 Signature Programs
We host 3 sessions each year: Spring, Summer, and Fall. You will need to register each session with your updated availability.
These 1:1 programs are most effective when there is a collaborative effort between tutors or SLPs and families, so please share as much information as possible to help us plan purposeful and engaging lessons specifically for your loved one with Down syndrome.
Our literacy and math tutors are volunteers, so please thank them for sharing their time and talents! Training volunteers about how awesome people with Down syndrome are is a huge part of our mission to change the way the world views Down syndrome.
Information for all 1:1 Programs
Parent Agreement
Agreeing to these policies is part of the enrollment form. Please feel free to review it here.
How I Learn
- How I Learn is a 7-minute video that helps all of us remember to use simple but powerful strategies when teaching individuals with Down syndrome.
- Watch this video and read the pdf
- Share with everyone who instructs your student!
I Do, We Do, You Do
This method of teaching outlined by Acher and Hughes, (2011) is an amazing way to teach individuals with Down syndrome. In fact, it is a highly effective way to teach anyone! You saw it in the How I Learn video.
Basic Information about Microsoft Teams
- We use Microsoft Teams to store progress trackers and resources for your student.
- Use this guide to help you navigate Teams
Incorporating Interests and Inspirations
- Tutors are trained to create purposeful and engaging lessons incorporating the interests and inspirations of the students.
- Please be sure to help the tutors and SLPs discover these interests and inspirations!
1:1 Literacy Tutoring Resources
GiGi’s Playhouse Literacy Program Webpage
Visit our webpage to view a short video and find a summary of the program.
Matching Selecting Naming Guide
- We use the multi-sensory process of Matching, Selecting, Naming to teach whole words
- Patricia Oelwein outlines this method in her book, Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
Raising Robust Readers
- Raising Robust Readers is a phonics program designed specifically for individuals with Down syndrome based on Ortin-Gillingham method of teaching phonograms.
- As a student in the GiGi’s Literacy Tutoring program, you will be provided with free resources from this program based on your needs.
- Consider joining their Facebook group for fun, hands-on phonics tips – Phonics for Folks with Down Syndrome
1:1 Math Tutoring Resources
GiGi’s Playhouse Math Program Webpage
Visit our webpage to view a short video and find a summary of the program.