Special Considerations for All Kids
All children need Jesus and churches have an opportunity to welcome and connect with children in a variety of ways. Whether a child has a physical disability, ADHD, autism, a learning disability, a life threatening allergy, or any other need, churches have an opportunity and responsibility to ensure that child is safe, feels loved, and has the support and tools they need to connect with God and peers at church.
I am not an expert on this topic, but I do have some experience and I believe that the first step in successfully helping each child engage in the activities of church is communicating with parents. Parents are the expert when it comes to their child. However, never forget to listen to the child. Children may communicate with you using their words, but they may also communicate with body language, facial expressions, and/or behavior. Pay close attention and keep an open mind. If you start by listening, you may discover you don't need to come up with as many ideas on your own.
Some tools that might be helpful:
Flexible Seating
On our Intentional Environments page, we address the benefits of using furnishings that are easy to use and serve multiple purposes.
Fortunately, when it comes to seating options, the same items that are easy to move around also tend to appeal to kids. Flexible seating is also beneficial for children with disabilities by supporting sensory regulation and helping kids focus on learning. For some kids, offering a variety of seating options also helps with physical comfort and allowing better interaction with peers. Not all seating needs to be expensive or matching. If you can find a great stool or bench at a thrift shop or get some fun options donated by your congregation, that's even better. Some favorite spots in our children's ministry area include an old desk chair on wheels, a rocking chair, a fold up saucer chair, a bungee chair, and some cushions on the floor. We also have some folding lawn chairs that the kids say are super comfy because they can sit on them sideways or backwards too.
We've had these Big Joe bean bag seats since 2015 and they are still going strong. None have ripped but we have needed to add more filler to keep them in shape. It is great that the zippers are tucked away to prevent accidentally spilling the beans. Our students are ROUGH on these and they have been surprisingly durable.
Any seat that doubles as storage is a win to me. We like storage ottomans because they are light weight and easy for kids to move independently. We keep toys, musical instruments, and cushions in ours. I like that these look like stumps because they can double as a VBS prop.
Floor cushions are awesome because they can work for a large group circle discussion, are great for small groups, and can be used by kids as they work and play on the floor. For kids who wiggle, they can help give a target that shows them where their own personal space ends and their friend's personal space begins. We also use carpet remnants, indoor/outdoor pillows purchased on clearance, patio furniture cushions purchased on clearance, or pieces from a large foam puzzle mat. Kneeling cushions for gardening are often found at the dollar store and work great. The kids still prefer cushions the most but they all work.
Yoga balls or exercise balls are great because kids can bounce, wiggle and move while listening to a great Bible story or talking with a friend. Kids really like them but we have found we need to give instructions and talk about the rules at the start of every season because the temptation to toss one of these is always possible. For us, they are worth it. I particularly like this one because it is extra durable and made to not roll away. It also comes in two different sizes.
Some kids need the sensory input that flopping onto a crash pad can give. As a bonus, a crash pad is also a cozy spot to sit with a friend or curl up with a good book. I appreciate that this one comes in multiple sizes and is durable.
Kids need to spin. Some need to spin more often and more intensely than others. This spinning chair is great, but the drawback is that they don't fold for storage or stack well so having more than one or two is a little tricky. Having one is worth the space for kids who need it!
A wiggle stool is a great option for kids who need movement as well. This one is adjustable.
These floor seats with a backrest are one of my favorite options for kids and adults. When I want to sit on the floor with kids, the backrest makes it much more comfortable. I'm not a teenager anymore! Fortunately, they are versatile because the kids love these seats too. I recommend showing kids how they work and talking about treating them gently as we have broken a couple of them over the year because kids tried to stand on them. They are very easy to store when they aren't in use!
Fidgets
Not all fidgets are created equally!
Sometimes parents ask which fidgets are best for kids to use during the church service. For many of the kids, my answer is a fidget that they can use without looking and one that doesn't make noise. Some kids have more specific needs like a fidget that can safely be put in their mouth or one that meets specific sensory needs.
I love these sensory stones because they are inobtrusive and quiet. I will say the occasional kid will use their fingernail to create a slight snapping noise on the striped stones, but even that is very quiet. Because 36 come in the package, they work great in "busy bags" for the service as well.
These fidget flips are nice because they can be used with one hand, but they can sometimes make a tiny clicking sound.
These marble maze mats are a favorite fidget for a number of reasons. They are quiet and can keep hands busy while eyes and ears are focused on ministry opportunities. They are also a great object for crafty congregation members to make for students. I've never seen one break or develop a hole, but because there is an actual marble inside, this one is not good for kids who could put the marble in their mouth and choke.
The students I know say Needohs are awesome. I'm not sure they are my favorite because I've seen more than one break and leave slime everywhere, but for this particular type of fidget, I have to admit the Needoh brand ones tend to last longer and be used more than some alternatives. With that said, I prefer this alternative from Amazon. It is more durable and doesn't have a weird smell, even when it is new.
Adaptive Tools and Toys
The sensory sticks are great because they can be pulled, tied, twisted, and squeezed.
In my experience, parents are often able to advise church staff and volunteers of items that may be useful to their child. However, if you notice a challenge that could be overcome with support, consider asking the family if they'd like to try something new.
Examples:
Headphones: For some children, loud worship or play time can be unpleasant. Headphones can help make this sensory challenge manageable for many kids.
Scissors and Writing Tools: Many Children's Ministry programs do craft projects. Some kids are able to engage more fully if they have adaptive scissors or writing tools in the classroom for them to use. Musical instruments and toys can also have switches, handles, or larger buttons added so everyone can enjoy the experience together. For some children, a Bible with extra durable pages, like this one, is helpful.
Visual Timers and Schedules
Transitions can be a challenge for many children and adults. There are a few "tried and true" tools that have been proven to help everyone know what to expect and what comes next. I also find these tools helpful in decreasing interruptions because kids don't have to ask questions about what is coming up or when they get to do their favorite activity.
In the Freebies section at Awe & Wonder, they have visual schedule cards that are specifically for church. They are easy to make but it saves time to be able to use that free tool.
I like these laminating sheets for making the cards durable and reusable without having to use a laminating machine.
Knowing how much time is left is important for some kids so I like this timer because it has numbers and a disk that helps kids visualize the time remaining. It is also durable and completely silent until it chimes at the end. There are also a number of timers that work really well on classroom technology boards in various apps, but we don't have the screen turned on every week at our church and we use multiple classrooms, so we like the portability this "old school" timer.
