Young Athletes Program Provides Opportunities to Koger Family

Special Olympics Indiana’s Young Athletes program is designed for children ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Young Athletes meets participants at their developmental level to help them improve physical, cognitive and social skills.

By introducing basic sport skills, such as running, kicking and throwing, the program offers families, teachers, caregivers and community members the chance to share the joy of sports with all children.

Kristen Koger is a mom from Milan, Ind., who attended the Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn County Young Athletes program alongside her children Olivia, Davis and Dane. Her husband is Derek. The group met once per week for eight weeks.

Here is what Kristen Koger had to say about Young Athletes.

What drew you to the program? 

I love that this program is for children of all abilities. My middle child is on the autism spectrum, my other two children are socially introverted, and the youngest is sensory sensitive.

So this was a safe environment for all of them to expand sports skills and, more importantly, have fun and be social in a way that suits their personalities. 

What did you think of the experience?

This program gave my children a safe space to be able to relax and just be themselves. Once each achieved their own level of comfort with the volunteers and inside an unfamiliar building, they learned new skills.

In particular, my middle child was able to work on balance and improve immensely. 

Does the program fit your children’s social, physical and mental development?

The program fits all of my children’s social, physical and mental development.

With a range of ages from 3-8, we are used to some activities being too challenging for my youngest or too easy for my oldest. This program was fun for all and equally challenging for each, because they performed at whatever skill level they could at each station.

Socially, the kids were able to interact with other children and also adults to the degree they felt safe. As a parent, I enjoy that parents are encouraged to assist their children through the stations.

What did you learn about Special Olympics you may not have known before the program?

I learned that Special Olympics sports begin at age 8, and this is something I will keep in mind for my son on the autism spectrum once he reaches that age.

Did your children stay engaged throughout the session?

All three of my children remained engaged throughout each session. The younger two would challenge themselves to continue improving each week, and once my oldest felt she had mastered a skill, she found joy in helping her younger siblings. 

Anything else you would like to add?

Young Athletes is a program that is perfect for children of all abilities. It helps with skill building, but it also engages children in social interactions in a positive way with their peers that helps teach kindness and understanding of different social and mental abilities. 

Learn more about Special Olympics Indiana’s Young Athletes program here.