The Mullica Hill library’s Special Olympics Young Athletes Program will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
The effort is a result of the library’s partnership with Special Olympics of New Jersey (SONJ) to teach kids from 2 to 8 with or without intellectual disabilities about participating in the annual games. With instruction by coaches and volunteers, they will learn and improve their social skills, play with others their age, meet new people and build confidence.
“To prepare children for the Special Olympics,” said head of library youth services Stephanie Smith, “there are certain skills they need to compete. We focus on developing and improving seven skills: foundation skills, which is strength, flexibility, and body awareness; walking and running; jumping; kicking; trapping and catching; throwing; and striking.
“Our program is 45 minutes long, and we always “warm up” with circle time,” she added. “We all introduce each other, then we sing a few songs.
The Young Athletes Program is held monthly; a second meeting will occasionally take place depending on room availability and staff scheduling. The sessions sometimes include an area director from the Special Olympics.
“Each week, we bring out different equipment and set up stations,” Smith explained. “For example, one station might have a few soccer balls and two nets. The children are encouraged to kick the ball in the net and “catch” the ball with their feet.
“Another station might be to walk on our foam balance beam,” she added. “These stations are during our structured play. During unstructured play, we allow the children to play with any of our equipment and (we) encourage play with each other. Social skills are just as important as physical skills.”
The library began the program in 2016, after Smith and her supervisor attended a New Jersey Library Association conference where representatives of the the Young Athletes Program made a presentation. The reaction has been positive, she notes. While Smith initially focused on the physical benefits of the program, she was surprised by the connections families involved made with each other.
“I think we were so focused on coaching the children that we didn’t realize the benefits this program has on family members as well,” Smith she said. “We watched families bond with each other and be a support system in times of need. The families understand each other – the struggles, the triumphs, the stress – and support one another.Â
The Special Olympics Young Athletes Program is free but does require registration at the SONJ website. Parents are required to attend with their children, who must also wear athletic footwear.
“We’ve seen children come out of their shells, try new skills, master old skills, make friends and gain confidence,” Smith observed. “As coaches, it’s amazing to watch these children grow and learn. We’re in awe of their determination, their energy, and their spirit. I think about that when I have my own struggles.
“It’s truly inspiring.”
