Young Athletes
Fun, play-based activities designed to introduce children ages 2-7 with intellectual disabilities to the world of sports while developing fundamental motor skills, social skills, and confidence.
Start Your Young Athlete's Journey
Discover the joy of sports, build confidence, and develop skills that will last a lifetime.
Building Foundations for Success
Preparing Children for a Lifetime of Sports Participation and Inclusion
Young Athletes is an innovative program designed to introduce children (ages 2-7) with and without intellectual disabilities to sports in a fun, engaging way.
Through play-based activities, children learn basic sports skills, improve coordination, build confidence and develop important social connections. Young Athletes creates opportunities for children to be included in their communities and sets the foundation for growing their participation in Special Olympics.
Young Athletes Benefits
Comprehensive development through play and sports
Physical Development
Improves strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility through age-appropriate activities that make movement fun and engaging.
Cognitive Skills
Enhances problem-solving abilities, following directions, and understanding concepts like colors, numbers, and spatial awareness.
Confidence Building
Celebrates every achievement, no matter how small, helping children develop self-esteem and a positive self-image to develop self-esteem, positive self-image and critical social skills.
Program Activities
Fun, engaging activities designed for young children
Foundational Skills
Basic movements like walking, running, jumping, and throwing that form the foundation for all sports.
Walking & Running
Kicking, dribbling, and basic ball control activities adapted for young children.
Balance & Jumping
Dribbling, passing, and shooting activities using age-appropriate equipment.
Trapping & Catching
Dribbling, passing, and shooting activities using age-appropriate equipment.
Throwing
Racket skills, hand-eye coordination, and movement patterns through fun games.
Striking
Running, jumping, and throwing activities that develop speed, power, and coordination.
Kicking
Activities that improve accuracy, focus, and hand-eye coordination through fun target games.
Advanced Sports Skills
Activities that improve accuracy, focus, and hand-eye coordination through fun target games.
Start Your Young Athletes Journey
Ninety-one percent of parents agreed or strongly agreed that participation in Young Athletes made them more hopeful about their child’s future.
