GiGi's Playhouse Houston

Program Overview

The GiGi's Playhouse 1:1 Literacy Tutoring Program uses a methodology with documented success based on research by professionals in the field. The ability to read opens doors for individuals with Down syndrome in the workplace, schools and the community. Developing reading skills also leads to improvements in speech and language development, auditory perceptual skills and working memory function. Our goal is to foster a love for reading and provide an opportunity to develop and master skills, all while building a positive relationship with our volunteer tutors. Trained tutors work at the level of the child, continually challenging and encouraging him/her to reach their Best of All. Students can start in our program as early as age 3 or any year after that. It's never too late to start!

Our Math Tutoring program is built based on the ways in which individuals with Down syndrome learn best. Knowing that our participants vary greatly in their abilities and challenges in comprehensive math, we combine multiple approaches that utilize multi-sensory teaching. Graduated levels of purposeful progressions lead to an increase of skills and self-confidence. These methods are aligned with topics taught in the classroom, to provide a comprehensive and cohesive program. Students can start in our program as early as age 3 or any year after that. It is never too late to start!

Both are weekly lessons that last 45-60 minutes for 10-15 weeks at a time. Family members attend each tutoring lesson and leave with practical activities to continue learning at home.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

Here is a blog posted by our volunteer Alyssa after tutoring a participant Teddy.

Working with Teddy over the past semester has been an incredible experience. Teddy is so sweet and genuine, and his silly antics make me laugh every class. When I first signed up to tutor, I thought it would just be a fun experience to help a GiGi's Playhouse participant with their literacy. Little did I know that this would be such an incredibly rewarding period of growth and learning for me as well. Throughout this semester, one of my biggest challenges was finding ways to keep Teddy focused. When Teddy is in the mood, he is such a bright learner, rapidly spelling out new words and eagerly reading on his own. But he would often get distracted, and didn't want to participate in some of the activities.

I was a bit frustrated at first, not knowing how best to reach him and keep his attention without relying too heavily on the videos he loves watching and singing along to. But I've learned to incorporate songs, movement, games, and toys into every class to make class more interesting. The resources GiGi's Playhouse has provided have been tremendously helpful as we fish for sight words together or piece together 3-letter word puzzles, practicing different skills through an array of activities. Last class, we had so much fun reading “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" as Teddy excitedly fed my mouse hand puppet with cookies and milk. May, a UH intern I work with, has been a huge help throughout the process, helping me brainstorm ideas and find resources for fun and engaging activities.

I believe that both Teddy and I have grown tremendously throughout the past semester, as Teddy becomes a more confident and capable reader, and I am a better tutor. I truly had the most amazing time tutoring Teddy and I'm so happy to have spent this time with GiGi's Playhouse!