Special Olympics Young Athletes program to start in Owatonna
The program, sponsored by Minnesota Special Olympics, brings together children ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. It starts January 6 at McKinley school in Owatonna.
The 'Young Athletes' program will meet every Tuesday from January 6 to April 28 at McKinley School, 423 14th St NE in Owatonna from 5:30 - 6:30PM. The class is FREE.
Activities will include:
- foundational skills
- balancing and jumping
- trapping & catching
- kicking
- walking & running
- throwing
- striking
- advanced skills
The goals of the program:
- engage children with intellectual disabilities through developmentally appropriate play activities designed to foster physical, cognitive and social development
- welcome family members of children with and without intellectual disabilities to the Special Olympics network of support
- raise awareness about the abilities of children with intellectual disabilities through inclusive peer participation, demonstrations and other events.
- developing skills for success as a future Special Olympics athlete
We believe there is no better way to bring these young athletes into the Special Olympics family than through a program like Young Athletes - fostering inclusion in a fun and engaging setting for all.-mission statement
Registration information and other program details are available online at www.specialolympicsminnesota.org/programs/young-athletes/
The following is an interview with site coordinator Amanda Gislason: