Every week in our children’s ministry, we are entrusted with the incredible privilege of loving and leading God’s precious children. Each one is uniquely created by God, and every child matters. Jesus made that clear when He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). At The Outpost, our goal is for every child to feel safe, loved, and welcomed — and that includes those who may need a little extra care and support due to special needs or behavior challenges.
But as any leader knows, inclusion also comes with complexity. Sometimes the needs of one child can unintentionally disrupt the experience for others. That’s why I created a short, practical guide for my volunteers to help them navigate these situations with wisdom, patience, and compassion. The goal is to empower leaders to care for children with special needs while still maintaining an engaging environment for the entire group. It also reinforces important safety guidelines to protect both the child and the adult in every scenario.
This guide includes helpful tips on how to handle disruptions, utilize sensory tools, and provide redirection in a loving, appropriate way. Most importantly, it reminds our leaders that they are not alone. As leaders, we are called to shepherd allthe little ones God brings to us, even when it stretches us beyond our comfort zone. Proverbs 31:8 reminds us to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” That includes children who may struggle to express themselves clearly but still deserve to be understood, protected, and included.
I’m making this editable Word document available for you to download and customize for your own ministry context. Use it to train your volunteers, start conversations with your team, or develop your own special needs protocols.
And don’t miss the additional tips and tools available at Kidology.org/specialneedstips — another free resource designed to help you love and lead every child well.
Let’s keep creating ministries that reflect the heart of Jesus who sees, welcomes, and treasures every child.
