Special Needs
We welcome your child with special needs in our Heart to Heart ministry and want to provide the necessary support and resources that will allow your child to participate to the maximum degree he or she can. We believe our children with special needs benefit both socially and educationally by being included as much as possible and while your child is receiving loving care, you can feel free to enjoy the worship service.
Our volunteer ministry has three models specifically designed to be matched with your child’s specific needs. We are open to combining any aspects of the three models that will work for your child.
Total Inclusion
Your child is included in his or her assigned class and worship time. Some modification of the weekly lesson may be made by the regular teacher. No special Teaching Aide is needed. The child may be included with his or her age group or children at the same learning level depending his or her parents' preference.
Inclusion with a special Teaching Aide
A one-on-one volunteer teaching aide is provided for the child and the child is included in his or her assigned class and worship time. Modifications in the weekly lesson are provided by the special teaching ade within the classroom. The child may be included with his or her age group or children at the same learning level depending on his or her parents' preference.
A separate, individualized program
Some children require a calmer environment than our regular classrooms provide. Our Heart to Heart classroom provides an individual program with one-on-one volunteers designed to provide your child with instruction, fellowship, and care. Additionally, we often offer the benefit of “reverse inclusion” where one or two children without special needs (we call them “buddies”) are included in the Heart to Heart classroom. These extra children volunteer as part of our service ministry and are motivated by a desire to love your child and serve God in this way. These “buddies” stay with your child and become special friends for him or her.
How to Involve Your Child
If you would like to have your child participate call the Kids’ Celebration office at 785-4959 ext. 308. You will be interviewed to learn more about your child’s special needs and to register your child in the program.
Next Steps
- A volunteer special teaching aide will be sought who can give consistent companionship to your child.
- A Sunday morning observation may take place to gain more information about your child.
- The special teaching aide receives verbal and written instructions and then meets with you and your child.
- Depending on the special teaching aide’s expertise, the special teaching aide may work with a specialist who models successful strategies for helping your child.
- The special teaching aide and your child work together weekly in the chosen classroom. If either will be absent, they contact each other directly.
- Ongoing consultation is provided to the special teaching aide as needed.
