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 socially, educationally and most importantly spiritually, 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.
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 aide 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 abilities and needs.
A separate, individualized program
Some children require a smaller group size 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.
How to Involve Your Child
If you would like to have your child participate call the Kids’ Celebration office at 785-4959 ext. 329. 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.
- 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.
