Young Athletes Program

The Young Athletes Program was established by Special Olympics International to provide early developmental opportunities for pre-school children, utilizing guided motor activities. Children ages 2 ½ to 7 with intellectual disability typically have little access to motor activity programs, including organized play, and sports skill development. The activities presented in the program are designed to advance development of young children with intellectual disability who typically lag their peers without intellectual disability.

This program is recommended to be implemented as an inclusive model (children with and without intellectual disability together) on a group basis and/or as a family-based undertaking. The program, which has been implemented in many communities around the world, can help prepare young children for future participation in sports, including making them ready earlier than would normally be the case.