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The Young Athletes In-Schools Program is a fun way to integrate gross motor skills into the classroom for students with and without intellectual disabilities, ages birth to 7 years old. Young Athletes introduces basic sport skills, like running, kicking and throwing. Studies have shown that students with better-developed motor skills may find it easier to be active and engage in more physical activity than those with less-developed motor skills.

Lesson Plan Videos

To help support our teachers and students, we created ready-to-view lesson plan videos! Make sure to check in with your Young Athletes Program Coordinator on which week you should be viewing.

Resources

Weekly Resource Guides

Our Young Athletes In-Schools Program is the perfect sport and play program to participate in during the school day. Use the lesson plans found here to be guided through six weeks of activities promoting gross motor skill development.

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 1 – Balance

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 1 Practicing balance will allow students to maintain...

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 2 – Jumping

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 2 Here at Special Olympics Maryland, we love...

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 3 – Catching an Object

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 3 The ability to catch, throw and kick a...

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 4 – Underhand Toss

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 4 The ability to catch, throw and kick a ball...

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 5 – Dynamic Balance in Motion

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 5 Gross motor skills involve the large muscles...

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 6 – Stationary Ball Kick

Young Athletes In-Schools: Lesson 6 The ability to catch, throw and kick a ball...

Additional Resources

Gross Motor Assessment Tool

An assessment tool has been developed based upon the Maryland State Department...

Modifications & Adaptations

Consider the following suggestions when planning the Young Athletes Program sessions.  Modifications...

Parent Letter Template

Use this template to communicate your classroom or school's involvement in the...

Young Athletes Classroom Registration Form

Use the following form to register your classroom and/or school for the...

Young Athletes Fact Sheet

Did you know that Young Athletes can be the start of a...

Gross Motor Assessment – Excel Form

An assessment tool has been developed based upon the Maryland State Department...

Interested in bringing the Young Athletes Program to your school? Fill out this form and a member of our team will be in touch soon!