Special Olympics Young Athletes™ is an inclusive early childhood sports and educational play program for children aged 2 to 7 years old, with and without intellectual disabilities, that includes games, songs and other fun, physical activities. With an emphasis on training and participation through activities and play, rather than competition, young athletes learn basic sports skills like kicking and throwing a ball, and playing with others. Young Athletes™ also provides children with gross motor skills training, group interaction and socialization opportunities. These basic skills will prepare the Young Athletes for future participation in sports.
Young Athletes Overview Brochure
Benefits of Participation
- Increases a young child’s strength and coordination in preparation for sports participation.
- Inclusive sports and education opportunity for children ages 2-7 with or without disabilities
- Introduces young children to group play, cooperation and awareness of rules.
- Focus placed on socialization, interaction and fun.
- Teaches “everyday” skills
- Fosters family interaction
- Provides an opportunity for younger participants that are not eligible for Special Olympics sports
Parents: Young Athletes offers fun and fitness for the whole family!
- Parent/Child activity group where the whole family can exercise together!
- Siblings are welcome to participate!
- Families make meaningful connections and exchange valuable resources
Special Education Teachers: Young Athletes is a great addition to your classroom! Available to Early Head Start, Head Start, Preschool and classrooms Kindergarten through 2nd grade.
Young Athletes includes:
– Curriculum
– Equipment kit with balls, cones, balance beam, etc.
– Access to tons of online resources and videos
– Training provided by Special Olympics North Carolina staff or volunteers
– All students participate, regardless of diagnosis
We are thrilled to have Young Athletes programming offered in over 45 Head Start centers and 38 elementary schools across the state. We definitely want to see more growth though!
In order to get involved:
- Email youngathletes@sonc.net to see what is offered in your community or to see how you can help start Young Athletes in your area (it can be a community-based program or done right in your home!).
- Complete the registration form below and submit it to your local contact. When in doubt, you can send it directly to youngathletes@sonc.net.
Registration Forms
Parent Resources
Materials for Educators
Check out this great explanation of Young Athletes and Unified Champion Schools to better understand how to fully involve your school in these programs.
Registration Forms
- Young Athletes™ Activity Guide: This provides the activities for an 8-week period leaving you with the flexibility for scheduling and implementation.
- Young Athletes™ Curriculum:If you want more scripted lesson plans and a timeline for administering the 8-week lessons, use the Young Athletes™ Curriculum. This contains the same information as the activity guide; it is simply laid out within a set timeframe.
- Full set – Young Athletes Lesson Summary Cards: You will see the summary cards provided for convenient use broken out below by activity. You can also print out the entire set here.
- Order a Young Athletes™ kit (best for home use)
Activity Videos
Training videos are a great resource to see how each activity should be offered. Each week has three days of lesson plans for a total of 24 days. Lessons are designed to be offered in sequence to help children become acquainted with the activities and build skills through repetition.
- Foundational Skills: Video of activities that develop foundational skills, which help children become aware of themselves and their surroundings. Download: Booklet (PDF) • Card (PDF)
- Walking and Running: Video that highlight different activities to improve walking and running skills. Download: Booklet (PDF) • Card (PDF)
- Balance and Jumping: Video that include activities, like Jumping High and Leaping Lizards, that focus on the core skill of balance. Download: Booklet (PDF) • Card (PDF)
- Trapping and Catching: Video of activities that children use to stop a ball with their body or catch it with their hands. Download: Booklet (PDF) • Card (PDF)
- Throwing: Video that includes activities, like Train Tunnel and Target Practice, that focus on grip, release, aim and other important skills in throwing. Download: Booklet (PDF) • Card (PDF)
- Striking: Video of activities that teach children how to hit a ball with their hand or an object. These skills develop hand-eye coordination. Download: Booklet (PDF) • Card (PDF)
- Kicking: Video that includes activities, like Penalty Kick and Cone Dribble, that teach children how to kick a ball with their feet. Download: Booklet (PDF) • Card (PDF)
- Advanced Sports Skills: Video of activities that introduce children to basketball, football (soccer) and softball skills. Download: Booklet (PDF) • Card (PDF)
