The Young Athletes Program

• Leads to improvements in motor development, social and emotional development, and communication development.
• Helps children with intellectual disabilities become more physically agile and socially facile.
• Includes children outside of special needs classes. This builds bridges and teaches diversity and tolerance for those with differences, creating a stronger community.

Children with intellectual disabilities between the ages of two and seven did not always have opportunities to participate in Special Olympics programming. 

They had to wait until reaching the eligibility age of eight.

In 2007 Special Olympics introduced the Young Athletes Program as an innovative sports play program which seeks to strengthen self-esteem and physical development through early intervention for children ages 2 through 7.

Participants attend a Play Day at their local school, and have the opportunity to try various motor skills activities involving balls, cones, and hoops at different stations. 

All participants receive a t-shirt and medal at the end. The program design includes children with and without disabilities.