Evaluation of Young Athletes Program 2006
Young Athletes is an innovative sports/play program designed to
introduce children with intellectual disabilities to the world of
sports at an early age (2½ to 7). Young Athletes was initiated at
the request of parents who wanted a program for younger children
with intellectual disabilities, prior to the start of their
eligibility for Special Olympics. The program was created to
promote motor, social, and cognitive development in children
through physical activity and play.
By examining Young Athletes programs in several countries
(Azerbaijan, Chile, Israel, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, United
States and Venezuela), the research provides a comprehensive,
global look at the program and evaluation of its effectiveness. It
accomplishes this by using several methodologies including
registration forms, surveys, site visits, and parent
interviews.
Findings indicate that Young Athletes has a significant impact on
both the young people who participate and their parents, sometimes
in unintended ways. Though the primary focus of the program is
motor skills development, teachers and parents who were interviewed
repeatedly note that benefits extend to area like improved
self-esteem and attention span. As an additional benefit, parents
gain increased awareness of their children's abilities, learn new
effective methods for engaging with their children, and receive
support from others who are struggling with the same
issues.
The research report also includes recommendations for improving the
program in each location.