One-on-one Literacy Tutoring

Program Overview

GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center's mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. The GiGi's Playhouse Literacy Program uses a methodology with documented success based on the research of professionals in the field. Trained tutors work at the level of the child, continually challenging and encouraging them utilizing custom flashcards and books as well as computer resources and games. This literacy education includes not only direct instruction with the child, but educating their parents, teachers and other therapists as well.

Benefits

• Increased self-esteem
• Increased confidence
• Fine motor development
• Dispelled stereotypes and misconceptions
• Greater inclusion in general education classrooms
• More active role in schools and community
• Broader communication and speech abilities
• Greater social interaction and friendships
• Articulation development

Multi-Disciplinary Resources:
The GiGi's Literacy program incorporates a plethora of resources for teaching reading skills including; computer games, pocket word charts, phonics and alphabet resources, manipulatives and more.

Lifestage Relevancy Books and reading material are specific to the life-stage of the student. Whether it be a favorite television character for a toddler, a specific subject in the classroom, or a job-related topic, each book is created with relevant information to the student.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

Anna, a first time tutoring volunteer, was a bit nervous about her first literacy tutoring session with her adult participant, Weslyn, with Down syndrome. Her literacy coordinator coached her to just build rapport, get to know each other and spend time together. After just 1 hour together, Anna and Weslyn emerged from the tutoring room, both beaming from ear-to-ear. As it seems to happen at GiGi's Playhouse, these two became fast friends. As Anna got to know Weslyn, she learned that Weslyn loved music. Anna asked her about her favorite songs and they pulled up the song lyrics on the computer. They read and sang together, and Anna intuitively mentioned how lyrics were a form of poetry, and had Weslyn ever written poetry. After further discussion, they decided that their 12-week program together would be dedicated to poetry, one poem each week that Weslyn would write using prompts and various structures of poetry (e.g. Haiku, free verse, prose, couplet, etc). By the end of their session together, Weslyn had created almost 10 original pieces of poetry, and Anna surprised her with a Shutterfly hard cover book filled with Weslyn's beautiful poetry intermixed with inspirational quotations and beautiful photos of Weslyn, friends, family, hobbies, pets, etc, that her mom had provided. At our literacy party, Weslyn proudly read her poetry and autographed her book.

Weslyn's mom shared with us: "Anna & Weslyn are wonderfully matched!! Anna just asked Weslyn if she'd like to be paired up again next session!! We truly love her for being in Weslyn's life. Anna wants to continue volunteering with Weslyn because WE ALL see improvement and a connection that may last a lifetime!!"

Anna, volunteer, has shared countless times how much she has learned from Weslyn and how bright, inspiring and talented she is. She sees Weslyn for the individual she is, all of her qualities and potential, not as a diagnosis.