The benefits of physical activity are universal for all children, including those with special learning needs and physical disabilities. There are countless physical, social, and emotional benefits of athletic participation and physical activity reaped by children involved in organized sports programs. All children can benefit from exercise, energy release, and pure enjoyment of playing sports. This includes children with special needs. Specifically, all children, regardless of abilities, benefit from better overall fitness, improved cognitive health, better control of weight, healthier bone density, better emotional and psychological health, improved social skills and relationships, improved motor skills and most importantly, more self-esteem and less isolation and increased feelings of inclusion. Despite these benefits, children with disabilities or special learning needs are more restricted in their participation resulting in lower levels of fitness and higher levels of obesity than their peers without disabilities. Unfortunately, many children who have the most to gain are among the lowest participants. Children with physical disabilities and special learning needs generally participate in substantially less physical activity than their peers. But why?
- Children with special needs are sometimes not encouraged to exercise.
- Their parents or guardians may fear they'll get hurt
- Parents or guardians may fear their child will not be welcome in organized sports programs
- Parents or guardians fear their child may not have the ability to handle the social, emotional or physical demands of the sport program
- Parents or guardians aren’t aware of sports programs in the area that welcome and accommodate children with special learning needs.
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As important as it is to start children on a path to a healthy lifestyle by engaging them in physical activities that offer a fun, safe, learning environment as soon as they are walking, it is even more important for a child with special learning needs. Early physical intervention can enhance the emotional, social, cognitive and physical benefits naturally associated with physical activity programs. Parents and guardians of children with special learning needs should seek out physical activity programs that include:
- Instructors knowledgeable and experienced working with children with special learning needs
- Welcoming environment for children of all abilities
- Staff and program that works with children and families to meet individual needs and goals of the child with special learning needs
- Programs that incorporate activities tailored to each child's abilities and preferences, ensuring everyone can participate and have fun
- Programs that see a child’s abilities before the disabilities!
Jump Start Plus – Kids in Motion Program offers recreational gymnastics and movement classes for children with special physical and cognitive learning needs. The goal is to give each child what all children are entitled to: the opportunity to experience an active life that is filled with excitement, self-confidence, discovery and most importantly, FUN! For more information on Kids in Motion classes at Jump Start Plus visit : Kids in Motion - Jump Start Plus Gymnastics.
