GiGi's Playhouse

What started as a local Playhouse in a suburb of Chicago has turned into an international phenomenon, spreading awareness and inspiration to everyone it touches. GiGi's Playhouses are Down syndrome awareness and educational centers that provide resources, specialized teaching, and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community!

Programs and Activities:

1. Pre-Natal Diagnosis Support – GiGi's offers accurate and positive information about Down syndrome to families who have just received a pre-natal diagnosis.
2. Open Play – Promotes networking and socializing for families with children of all ages with Down syndrome.
3. Crawlers Program – Helps facilitate and strengthen the skills in children who are at the developmental stage of crawling.
4. Walkers Program – Facilitates and strengthens the skills in children who are beginning to walk.
5. 2 & Under Group – Promotes positive beginnings for families with an infant or toddler with Down syndrome, with a focus on ongoing support and networking for new and current families.
6. Hop, Skip and Jumpers (3-5) – Promotes friendships, social skills and interactive play through creative and educational activities for pre-school and kindergarten-aged children.
7. Playhouse Pals (6-8) – Promotes friendships, social skills and interactive play through structured and educational activities for children ages 6-8.
8. Kid's Club (9-12) – This face-paced program promotes friendships, social skills and communication through creative and educational activities for children ages 9-12.
9. Teen-Tastic – This group promotes friendships, social interaction and communication through a variety of social activities, outings and games for teens aged 13-17.
10. Friday Friends – This group promotes friendships, social interaction and communication through a variety of social activities, outings for adults 18 and over.
11. Daddy and Me – Promotes positive interactions and social networking between children with Down syndrome and their male role models
12. Sibling Time – (coming soon!) Organized group that offers a positive place to share about life with a sibling with Down syndrome.
13. Family Night – This program promotes positive beginnings for new families as well as offers with a focus on positive social interactions among peers and siblings
14. Leaps and Bounds - This contemporary dance class is fun for all ages!
15. Music Class – Each session explores a different aspect of music appreciation.
16. Hispanic Group (Nuestros Angeles) – Provides support, friendship, networking and socializing for Spanish-speaking families
17. Polish Group – Provides support, friendship, networking and socializing for Polish-speaking families
18. Literacy Program – This internationally renowned program teaches and reinforces children and adults with Down syndrome reading, comprehension and phonics skill.
19. Math Program – Students in this program are taught applicable math skills with custom made materials.
20. Skill Builders – Reinforcing school-aged skills, Skill Builders incorporates handwriting, math, social skill development and phonics.
21. Parties – Each Playhouse has parties for …just about anything! Halloween, birthdays, 4th of July, etc. Check your local website calendars!