Creating a Sunday School Where Every Child Belongs
Goal: For ALL children to learn that Jesus loves them and how to act as followers
of Jesus
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to him in order that he
might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus
saw this, he was indignant and said to them,
“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such
as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does
not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”
Mark 10:13-16 (NRSV) – BibleGateway
Getting started
Make inclusion of all children a priority for your Sunday School classes. Offer
support, not segregated classes.
Classrooms and bathroom facilities should be accessible.
Let parents and the congregation know that all children are welcome.
Be sure your Safer Sanctuaries policy is up to date and being followed.
Supporting each child
Ask all parents for tips to help their child do their best. What do they
enjoy? Are there things that upset them? If so, what helps them stay calm
or calm down? Don’t single out children with disabilities.
Ask what the child’s strengths and interests are to facilitate success and a
chance to develop friendships with others with similar interests.
Ask if students have food or other allergies, health needs such as seizures,
or other concerns they want you to know about. In the case of seizures,
what should you do if they occur?
Praise children for sharing, helping, waiting, and other ways they show they
are followers of Jesus.
Show Jesus’s love in the way you work with each child.
Make sure teachers understand that a child who acts out is trying to let you
know that something is wrong or to get your attention, not being a bad
child.
Some children may do better with a 1:1 friend or mentor who helps them
be a part of the group.
Moving is ok; some children can’t sit still and learn best with movement.
Set up a quiet corner for students who need a break from the activity – it
could have rugs, pillows, items to touch, or a rocking chair. See:
● Creating Safe Sensory Spaces in Your Church
● Making Sensory Items for Your Church
● Understanding Sensory Processing Differences
Planning lessons for all students
Plan your lesson so children with different abilities and interests can work
together and choose what to do. Plan a variety of tasks so that everyone can do
something.
Provide structure in the program by giving a general overview of the lesson and
letting students know where you are in the plan. A visual or picture schedule is
one way to accomplish this that will benefit all students.
Announce transitions ahead of time so students have a chance to finish their
current task and be ready to move to something different.
Offer ways for children to touch, move, smell, taste, hear, and/or see during your
lesson. We all learn better if all our senses are used, or if we can use our stronger
senses.
Have a lesson plan but stay open to changing the plan based on the students’
interests and responses.
Ideas for providing multi-sensory learning activities
● Have children write or paint the Bible verse of the day on a piece of cardboard.
o Others may color, draw, or stamp designs on the cardboard.
o Have students cut or tear the cardboard apart to make a puzzle, then put the puzzle together afterwards.
● Say or sing the verse, reading a few words at a time and having students repeat what you read.
o Some may want to shake a shaker bottle (plastic bottle with a few rocks inside) or wave a fabric strip.
o Move a body part with a partner (hold hands and raise arms, turn head, or stomp feet) to music or words.
● Have children act out the Bible story and play the part of Jesus’ followers.
o For children who want to, place a scarf over their head and tie it on with a strip of cloth.
o Have students make Biblical figures or finger puppets from cardboard tubes that they paint.
● Bring an item to class that reminds you of God, e.g., a beautiful rock or flower, to help children learn that God created a beautiful world for us to enjoy.
o Help students look for signs of God in creation and in helpful, loving people.
Assessing
After the class, think or talk with other teachers about what went well and
what to try differently next time.
Teacher training
Contact your conference Disability Concerns committee if your church
school teachers would like additional training. Chances are that other churches in
your area would also be interested in attending a workshop.
Resources
Resources for Including Children with Disabilities and their Families
Updated March 2024
Contact: information@umcdmc.org