WHAT looks like child’s play – balancing a balloon between tiny feet or moving together in a hula-hoop train – is in fact a big stride for special needs children such as Jesper Tan.

At the Special Needs Children’s Sports Day, the five-year-old boy, who has global developmental delay, shuffled carefully with a balloon while being guided by his mother Renne Chang, 42.

Such simple games actually mark important steps in building confidence and coordination.

“People often think children like him cannot enjoy sports, which is not true,” said Chang at the annual event held in George Town, Penang.

“Games like these make him use his body and brain at the same time and they give him a chance to interact with others.”

The event, organised by Louise Planet Care Centre at Penang Kang Har Tong Kongsi, brought together special needs children to celebrate milestones often overlooked.

From balancing baskets on their heads to carrying weights on their shoulders, the activities were designed not only for fun but also to boost motor skills, teamwork and confidence.

Teamwork at play with Muhammad Saad (front) and his friend carrying containers on wooden sticks during a game.

For parents, every small victory carried deep meaning.

Chang, a businesswoman, said she was proud to see her son able to follow instructions and understand the rules of the games.

“He can understand, though he cannot always express himself. He has learnt that speed is important when moving from one end of the course to the other,” she said.

Nicole Ter, 43, whose eight-year-old son has autism and five-year-old daughter has speech delays, said having her children join the activities was a win.

“My son used to be aggressive and couldn’t cope in large crowds. Seeing him progress and now play games with other children is special.”

Ter, an administrative staffer, said that raising children with autism and learning difficulties had changed her perspective.

“We used to think we have to protect them and forget that it is better to let them try things.

“A sports event like this is a safe space and lets our children join physical activities and have friendly competition.

“It is not about making them fit in, but rather letting them have fun while trying things they may not usually get to.”

Housewife Noor Hayati Abdul Kasim, 38, whose six-year-old son Muham­mad Saad Muhammad Solahud­din has speech delay, said he had always struggled with eye contact.

“Sports events allow him to join without needing to maintain eye contact for very long. While he is fine with crowds, such events help him adapt to people moving quickly and blocking each other’s way.

“It is still a controlled environment where everyone understands each other’s abilities.

“As parents, it makes us sad when our children are different, so we need to encourage them,” she said.

Centre founder Alicia Ong said every lesson, including sports day, was part of early intervention.

“They need training in fine and gross motor skills. Our theme this year is to encourage them to be brave, confident and to experience a breakthrough.

“Sports is a way for them to leave their comfort zone.

“Children with special needs like routine, and a new place can be overwhelming, so it is necessary to expose them to new surroundings to help them grow.

“These activities give them life skills while keeping it fun.”