Young Athletes
Special Olympics Young Athletes is a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities (ID), ages 2 to 7 years old.
Young Athletes provides children with activities and games that meet their individual skill and ability levels, while allowing them to play together in a fun and inclusive environment. The program shows that all children should be valued for their talents and abilities. Children of all abilities take part, and they all benefit.
- Children learn how to play with others and develop important skills for learning. Children also learn to share, take turns and follow directions. These skills help children in family, community and school activities.
- Young Athletes is a fun way for children to get fit. It is important to teach children healthy habits while they are young. This can set the stage for a life of physical activity, friendships and learning.
- Young Athletes is easy to do and fun for all. It can be done at home, in schools or in the community using the Young Athletes Activity Guide and basic equipment.
Through Young Athletes, all children, their families and people in the community are welcomed into the world of Special Olympics and can be a part of an inclusive team, and share in the joy of sports together. Everyone benefits from Special Olympics Young Athletes.
Children ages 2 – 7 experience a 7 month gain in motor skills after participation in an eight-week Young Athletes program, and 94% of Special Olympics athletes reported improved sports skills. The Young Athlete program allows children to be active, have fun, and learn foundational sports skills through activities, like running, kicking and throwing. Young Athletes provides children of all abilities the same opportunities to advance in core developmental milestones. Young Athletes programming and activities are based off five principles:
- Motor skills: Children with intellectual disabilities who took part in Young Athletes developed motor skills more than twice as fast as others who did not take part.
- Social, emotional and learning skills: Parents and teachers of children who took part in the Young Athletes curriculum said the children learned skills that they will use in pre-primary school.
- Expectations: Family members say that Young Athletes raised their hopes for their child’s future.
- Sport readiness: Young Athletes helps children get ready to take part in sports when they are older.
- Acceptance: Inclusive play helps children without a disability to better understand and accept others.
Children with and without disabilities, ages two to seven, may participate in Young Athletes. Programming is offered weekly for 8 weeks typically within the season windows listed below:
Young Athletes Winter Season – January 1st – March 15th
Young Athletes Spring Season – March 16th – May 31st
Young Athletes Summer Season – June 1st – August 31st
Young Athletes Fall Season – September 1st – December 31st
Young Athletes Resources:
Interested in starting a program or getting your child involved?
If you’re looking to start a Young Athletes program, get your started in Young Athlete programming or want to learn more about the program, please reach out to:
*All children participating in Young Athletes must complete a Young Athletes Application before they get started!*
Interested in volunteering?
If you’re interested in volunteering with Young Athletes or any of our other programming, please reach out to: