Young Athletes Experience the Joys of Special Olympics Michigan Participation

By Jackie Schultz


Smiling faces of children filled Mary McGuire Middle School in Mt. Pleasant most Mondays this year during the Area 7 (Clare, Gladwin, Isabella and Gratiot Counties) Young Athletes™ program.  The program is designed for children ages two to seven with intellectual disabilities, and focuses on the basics that are crucial to cognitive development: physical activities that develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and the application of these physical skills through sports skills programs.  Getting children involved early on will place them in a loving atmosphere and provide a pre-experience of what future Special Olympics network support could mean for them, when they are eligible to compete at age 8.

Area 7 held weekly Monday trainings from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Mary McGuire Middle School, in Mt. Pleasant where the children were able to participate in various activities such as running, jumping, side shuffling, catching balls, balancing on balance beams, singing, and much more.

The Area 7 program began in the fall of 2009 with only seven to 10 young athletes and has since grown to 13 to 15 enthusiastic athletes per session. Volunteers from Central Michigan University’s Child Development Program helped out weekly. The Area 7 Young Athletes™ program plans to continue yearly and hopes to further create a stepping stone for younger children who will be involved with Special Olympics Michigan later in life.

There will be a free Young Athletes™ program clinic at the 2010 Special Olympics Summer Games on Saturday, June 5 from 10:00 a.m.-noon.  It will be held at Central Michigan University’s Student Activity Center in Rose, Room 125-126.

The Young Athletes™ program introduces children, their peers and families to the world of Special Olympics by engaging children through developmentally appropriate play activities designed to foster physical, cognitive and social development. It also raises awareness about the abilities of children with intellectual disabilities through inclusive peer participation, demonstrations and other events. There are 624 young athletes enrolled throughout Michigan, in 22 areas.

The Young Athletes™ program is a versatile program that can work in various learning situations. The program is designed for families to play with their young athletes at home in a fun atmosphere.  It is also appropriate for preschools, schools and playgrounds to use with small groups of young children with and without disabilities.  The flexibility of Young Athletes™ ensures the opportunity to welcome families and their young children into the Special Olympics family.

Thanks to the generous support of the Mattel Children’s Foundation, Gang Family Foundation and Lynch Family Foundation, Special Olympics can now welcome these future athletes and families through the Young Athletes™ program.

Posted: 2010-05-12