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Reverse‑inclusion preschool partners with Little Lions Soccer Club to expand recreational access
Summary
Isle Grow special‑populations preschool staff said an eight‑week reverse‑inclusion soccer program run by Little Lions Soccer Club let students practice social and motor skills in a familiar setting; the program will expand in spring to all special‑population elementary classrooms.
Cassie Rowland, a reverse‑inclusion teacher, and colleagues told the school board on Feb. 13 about a partnership between the division’s reverse‑inclusion preschool classrooms and Little Lions Soccer Club of Williamsburg that ran an eight‑week session this fall and will expand in spring.
Rowland explained that reverse inclusion places typically developing students into early‑childhood special education classrooms to serve as social, emotional and communication partners for students with disabilities. The pilot program began the week of Sept. 16; students participated in a single 30‑minute session per week for eight weeks, with Little Lions coaches coming to the schools so students could learn in a familiar environment.
“We brought that recreational sport to us,” Rowland said, describing benefits beyond soccer skills: “It helped them learn how to communicate, collaborate, and resolve conflicts.” The presentations included photos of therapists and speech pathologists working alongside coaches to generalize therapy goals in playground‑style activities.
Presenters said the spring expansion will include all special‑populations classrooms at the elementary level and that parents and SEAC members have asked staff to explore Special Olympics and other opportunities for older students. Board members asked staff to share schedules for Tri Cities basketball and other adapted athletics; staff agreed to distribute that information.
Why this matters: inclusive recreational programming can increase community participation, strengthen social skills for students with disabilities and create pathways to community leagues. Bringing programs to school buildings removes transportation and access barriers, staff said.
What’s next: staff will run the eight‑week spring soccer session for all special‑population elementary classrooms and continue to evaluate partnerships with community providers to expand adapted sports opportunities.
