By Jennifer Hansen, Director, Early Childhood Development at Special Olympics.
July 8, 2026 – Inclusive early childhood development (ECD) is foundational to building equitable and effective systems that support lifelong learning, health, and participation. Global evidence consistently demonstrates that the earliest years of life represent a critical window for physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Experiences during this period shape brain architecture and developmental trajectories that influence outcomes across the life course. For children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), these early experiences are essential.
The Challenge for Children with IDD
Globally, there are an estimated 53 million children with IDD who face additional barriers to education, healthcare, and early stimulation. Unfortunately, access to inclusive, high-quality early learning and early intervention programming for children with IDD remains limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Early developmental interventions are critical for children with IDD and shape developmental trajectories, school readiness, and long-term learning outcomes. Without access to early support, gaps between children with and without IDD widen quickly and become harder to close. Too often, stigma, discrimination, and systemic barriers prevent families from seeking or receiving support, reinforcing isolation and limiting opportunities for healthy development. However, inclusive ECD approaches offer a powerful alternative by reaching children based on developmental need rather than labels, supporting families earlier, and creating more equitable pathways for children with IDD to learn, grow, and participate fully in their communities.
Play as Foundation for Inclusion
Special Olympics offers an example of how inclusive, play-based ECD programming can operationalize at scale to be most impactful for children with IDD. Through its Young Athletes (YA) program, Special Olympics supports children ages 2–7 with and without IDD through structured, play-based activities that promote motor, social, communication, and adaptive skills. Importantly, Young Athletes is inclusive of all children and does not require a formal diagnosis. Participation is open to all, and activities are based on developmental readiness and interest, allowing children who may otherwise be missed by systems to access support early.
Young Athletes is implemented across diverse settings—including early learning centers, schools, community spaces, homes, and community health programs—making it adaptable to varied contexts. For educators and service providers, YA offers practical tools and training to support inclusive play and learning. For families, it provides a stigma-free entry point into early childhood services, reinforcing trust and sustained engagement.
Evaluations of Special Olympics Young Athletes have demonstrated positive impacts for both children and families across both USand global contexts. Evidence in the US shows that after two months of participation, children with IDD exhibited 7 to 9-month gains in motor skills development, compared to four-month gains for children with IDD who did not participate. A recent evaluation across four countries (India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Bangladesh) demonstrated that compared to children participating in YA showed greater gains over two months in communication, daily living, and social skills compared to children not participating in YA. Finally, parents and caregivers of children participating in YA also demonstrate improvements in parent empowerment and efficacy.
To further expand access, Special Olympics has also developed the Young Athletes App, which brings interventions into the home by providing parents, caregivers, and providers with personalized, developmentally appropriate activities that progress children across milestones. The app extends the reach and impact of inclusive ECD programming beyond formal settings and supports opportunities for learning and growth.
Impact in Action
Inclusive, play-based ECD can be seen in practice in communities around the world, including in a kindergarten classroom in Golubovci, Montenegro. There, two teachers—Zana and Biljana—introduced Young Athletes after attending a workshop in 2021. Bringing the program to their Star Garden kindergarten classroom created opportunities for children of all abilities to learn and play together.
Although their classroom did not include children with IDD, Zana and Biljana recognized an opportunity to foster inclusion more intentionally. They partnered with a nearby center that serves children with IDD to run Young Athletes activities together. Through shared play, children developed motor, teamwork, and communication skills while learning to appreciate each other’s abilities.
The impact has been tangible. Teachers observed improvements in cooperation and confidence among all students, and particular impact for the students with IDD. In one session, a previously nonverbal child spoke his first words, calling out the activity cue “yellow tape” and delighting both teachers and parents.
For Zana and Biljana, the experience has reshaped their teaching practice. The Young Athletes training strengthened their ability to recognize developmental needs and communicate to families about the importance of motor skills, social interaction, and inclusive play. Today, they advocate for Young Athletes in kindergartens across Montenegro, convinced that inclusion, when introduced early, helps all children build confidence, cooperation, and understanding.
Together We Can Support All Children
Inclusive early childhood development is not the responsibility of one sector alone. It requires connected systems, trusted relationships, and intentional inclusion from the earliest years. The evidence is clear: when children with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities are supported together from the start, outcomes improve for individuals, families, and societies. Inclusion in early childhood cannot wait.
About Special Olympics
The Special Olympics is a global sports movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time. Learn about the organization.
References
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Olusanya BO, Krishnamurthy V, Wertlieb D. Global initiatives for early childhood development should be disability inclusive. Pediatrics. 2018. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-4055
Smith A, et al. The impact of a play-based early childhood development intervention on adaptive behavior skills for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. 2025. doi:10.1080/20473869.2025.2590006
UNICEF. Seen, counted, included: Using data to shed light on the well-being of children with disabilities. 2021
World Health Organization, UNICEF, World Bank Group. Nurturing care framework for early childhood development: A framework for helping children survive and thrive to transform health and human potential. 2018.