Young Athletes Program
The Special Olympics Young Athletes program introduces young children with intellectual disabilities, their peers and their families to the world of Special Olympics. It is an innovative sports play program for children ages 2 through 7. The program includes a series of developmentally appropriate activities designed specifically for young children and their family members.
Skills developed through Young Athletes participation:
- Foundational skills
- Walking & running
- Balancing & jumping
- Trapping & catching
- Throwing
- Striking
- Kicking
- Advanced skills
Upcoming Events
No events are currently scheduled. Please check this page again as we will post the dates for upcoming events as soon as they are decided.
The Young Athletes program seeks to strengthen physical development and self-esteem for children by building skills for future sports participation and socialization prior to Special Olympics competition eligibility, which occurs when athletes turn 8 years old.
Young Athletes is a versatile program that can work in various learning situations – with family members at home, as well as preschools, schools, and playgroups comprised of small groups of children with and without intellectual disabilities. The flexibility of Young Athletes ensures the opportunity to welcome families and their young children into Special Olympics.
Culminating events to celebrate the childrens' accomplishments are held at the training sites. "Older" Young Athletes are also invited to participate in the soccer and basketball competitions held for traditional athletes. At these events, Young Athletes demonstrate their skills and receive a participation medal.
Young Athletes is designed to address two specific levels of play:
- Level 1 includes physical activities focused on developing fundamental motor tracking and eye-hand coordination play.
- Level 2 concentrates on the application of Level 1 physical activities through a sports skills activity program. It also focuses on developing skills consistent with official Special Olympics sports.