A Day in the Life of Giant Steps Illinois

Each day, amazing things take place at Giant Steps Illinois. From the moment the first student walks through the door to the last hug of the day, the children of Giant Steps Illinois are enveloped in a nurturing, challenging environment designed to enhance their lives. 

On any given day, miracles are happening at Giant Steps. Amid the organized chaos, the loud noises and bustling activity, children find their voice, push their boundaries and make sense of the world around them. 

Here’s what a typical day at Giant Steps might look like:

8:45 a.m. A 9-year-old boy is greeted at the bus by his teacher, who meets him with a smile and a friendly welcome. They move into the classroom and get settled, with all their belongings put into a cubby and settle into the routine of the morning with reading.

9:15 a.m. In the speech therapy room, a therapist works with an 11-year-old girl and her teacher. They’ve been working on the same goal for a few weeks now, and the therapist patiently tries a new tactic. The primary teacher takes notes, to share this new approach with the parents for at-home reinforcement.

9:50 a.m. A pair of young boys sit with their teachers in the IPP room . The challenge is to sit on the swing and – while in motion – try to toss a paper bag into the grocery cart. The IPP Specialist offer encouragement and help direct the children’s attention to the task at hand and…success! All four bags are tossed into the cart.

10:20 a.m. A 15-year-old boy is at the table in the high school room, with a tub of butter, cheese, bread and a plastic spreader. “I’m hungry -- let’s make grilled cheese,” says the teacher, providing encouragement and constant direction to the young man. 

11:15 a.m. A 9-year-old girl plays “follow the leader” with a red scarf as the music plays in the music therapy room. She puts the scarf over her head, and her primary teacher, her music therapist and an intern follow in turn. Next door, another young girl is preparing to sing karaoke, but won’t perform unless the door is closed. Her strong, clear voice is heard moments later.

Noon  Students gather in the kitchen area to eat their lunches, prepared at home. But yesterday, the field trip to the local pizzeria gave them a chance to make their own pizzas – quite a special event!

1 p.m. In the “bedroom,” a 12-year-old boy is practicing how to make a bed, and which blankets need to be pulled up first. His teacher walks him through the process, offering encouragement and gentle direction. 

1:45 p.m. Noise! A 10-year-old boy is testing his lungs and wants to walk to the front door. An administrator comes out of the office and calls the boy by name. “Were you trying to come see me?” she asks. The teacher and administrator usher the boy back to his classroom to continue working.

2:15 p.m. Sorting and stuffing envelopes for a school mailing integrates many skills. A young man in the high school methodically helps prepare the mailing under the watchful eye of his program assistant..

2:45 p.m. The school day is over, and the students are escorted to the buses, laden with notes and information for mom and dad.