Inclusive.

Group publishing put out a little booklet called "Children's Ministry pocket guide to Special Needs". It's a little, but very informative booklet that highlights quick tips to reach every single child. Whether it be in your Sabbath school class, day care, on the streets or at home.

The book starts off with "General Tips for Teachers" and I think it's IMPERATIVE to share these with you! (However, you should definitely read this entire booklet on your own!)

  • Understand that a child with special needs has the same spiritual needs as other children.
  • Talk with the parents about what can make the child feel more comfortable. Learn the child's favorite songs, Bible stories, or activities. 
  • Learn about the child's special needs. Most teachers want to help but just don't know how.
  • Use visuals-- simple listening to stories is hard for a child with special needs.
  • Experiment to find out what works best for the child.
  • Stability and routine are crucial. The simplest change in routine can be traumatic for a child (depending on the disability)
  • Remember that children with special needs are more like other children then they are different from them.
  • Be aware that most curriculum and activities can be modified or adapted to involve all the children in the classroom routines. 

Out of all these tips, there are TWO that stuck out the most to me.

1. "Learn about the child's special needs."

Did you know that "Up to one-third of parents of kids with learning disabilities don't feel prepared to take on the challenge? 

  • 35 percent have serious concerns about their ability to cope with their children’s learning issues. These parents feel isolated, guilty, stressed and worried about their children’s future.
  • 31 percent have conflicting feelings. These parents accept their children’s issues, but aren’t sure how to find or ask for help. They feel stressed, admit to being impatient with their children and are worried about their children’s future.
  • 34 percent are optimistic about their ability to cope. These parents feel able to take on the challenges and be good advocates for their children. They don’t feel guilty, are able to manage stress and have ways of dealing with their kids’ learning and attention issues.

Statistics from understood.org

This is why creating awareness of what it means to have a learning disability, or special needs is so important. The internet and libraries are filled with information on what exactly it means to "be on the spectrum," or "have an extra chromosome" and so much more. I encourage you to take the time to explore and read. 

When a child with special needs or a learning disability enters your classroom, ask their parents "What is he/she good at?" "What is their favorite thing to do?" Focus on their strengths and positives.

2. "Remember that children with special needs are more like other children then they are different from them."

LOVED THIS TIP! Inclusion is imperative in your classrooms and homes. Make everyone feel welcomed, love and cared for. All these kids want is to feel like they're "part of the family!"

At Children's Ministries in the North American Division, we have taken on the task to inform you as much as we can! With articles written by professionals and parents going through the challenges, we will constantly be providing you with resources on how you can improve your church or home's environment to create an INCLUSIVE one.  

The Nighttime Visitor

When a mother says she’s going to “change the baby,” what does she mean? How is she going to change it? Into what? You know what she means. But what did Jesus mean when He said, “You must be born again”?

Crickets chirped in the grass. Night birds sang. Quietly Nicodemus walked toward the place where he had heard he could find Jesus. He didn’t want anyone else to see him talking to Jesus.

When he found Jesus, Nicodemus said, “Teacher, we know You came from God! Your miracles tell everybody so!”

Jesus may have smiled in the darkness. He knew that Nicodemus really wanted to believe in Him. But Nicodemus was an important Pharisee, a member of the Jewish council. He came to Jesus late at night because He didn’t want the other Pharisees to know. 

Nicodemus knew that Jesus was a teacher sent from God. But he wasn’t sure that Jesus could really be God’s Son.

Jesus looked steadily at him. “Nicodemus,” He said, “miracles are not the most important thing! Unless you are born again, you will not see God’s kingdom.”

“Born again? What does that mean? I can’t go back inside of my mother! I’m a grown man!” Nicodemus exclaimed.

“You’re right, my friend,” Jesus answered. “But I’m not talking about being born physically. I’m talking about being born spiritually. Truthfully, Nicodemus, unless you are reborn by God’s Holy Spirit, you can’t be part of God’s kingdom.”

“I don’t understand,” Nicodemus said thoughtfully.

“Think about the wind for a moment,” Jesus replied. “You can’t see the wind itself. But you can see what happens when the wind blows. You can see the treetops sway and hear the rustling of the leaves. When the Holy Spirit comes into a person’s life, it’s like that. You can’t see inside a person’s heart, their mind. But you see what happens in their life, because their life is new and clean. Their life is changed.”

It was quiet as Nicodemus thought about what Jesus was saying.

“Nicodemus, your physical life came from your parents,” Jesus continued. “But a person’s spiritual life comes from the Holy Spirit. When a person chooses to let God come into his or her life, God helps them change their sinful mind, and gives the person a brand-new one. That’s being born again.

“Nicodemus, I have good news for you! God loves the world so much that He sent His only Son here to save the world. When someone believes in Him, God can give them that brand-new life! And that new life means you are born again! And those born again will receive the gift of eternal life!”

Nicodemus learned something that night that everyone must learn. Jesus loves us so much! He is ready right now to take our sinful hearts and lives and give us new ones! Will you let Him give you that new, clean heart today? Will you be born again? Will you take the gift of eternal life that He wants to give you?

You might want to say something like this to Jesus: “Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me! My life is sinful. Right now I want to give it to You. I ask You to give me a new, clean heart and mind instead. Change my life to be more like Yours. Thank You for Your gift of eternal life. I love You, Jesus! Amen.” 

Memory Verse: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1, NIV).

The Message: God’s love changes us.

References: John 3:1–21; The Desire of Ages, pp. 167–177.

For this story and more... subscribe to Primary Treasure by going to primarytreasure.com. 

Independence Day!

Did you know that the 4th of July was NOT the day that the Continental Congress decided to declare independence? (They did that on July 2, 1776) It wasn't when the American Revolution started either! July 4th, 1776 was the day that they (the Continental Congress) approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. July 4, 1776 became the date included on the Declaration of Independence!

So now that you know a little bit more about WHY we celebrate with grilling, fireworks, and a day off with family and friends... Here is a little activity to you can do with you little ones on this day!

4th of July Activity!

 

**From Children's Ministries at the North American Division, we want to wish you all a Happy 4th of July! 


Information for this article was found on: www.constitutionfacts.com

Father's Day!

Father's are so special and they come in all shapes and sizes. No matter how they look, or sound they're special and we want to make sure they know it.

That's why, we have created this Father's Day Craft for you to try at home with your children. The great thing is that it's not too pricey and it can be detailed to each Father differently! Try it! 

Also, check out this SPECIAL ACTIVITY for Father's Day as well that you might be able to try! 

Check out this easy-to-do craft! All you need it a pot (you can even use an old one), some rocks (find some outside), hot glue, stencils, markers/paint, and some popsicle sticks!

Thank you for ALL that you do, Father's. We don't know where we would be about you. Thank you for the long hours you spend teaching your children about Jesus. Thank you for helping them

Encouraging Special People

These Joseph stories will help you understand what your Sabbath School lesson can mean for you today. Find the first stories about Joseph and Mac at www.primarytreasure.com. Click on “Stories!” and scroll down to read 40 or so stories that happened before this story. Be sure to always get permission from the adult you live with before going on the Internet.

Hannah Maria Estevez eyed the pile of brightly colored cards in Pastor Chuck’s hand. She wondered what he was going to have them do in Sabbath School today. Whatever it was, she wanted to have a pink card, she decided. Or maybe one of the sunshine yellow ones.

“Let’s go over to the table,” Pastor Chuck said. “We’re going to be doing some writing, and I think it will be easier to do it at the table.”

When all the boys and girls were settled, Pastor Chuck also sat down. He laid the stack of cards in front of him. “Does anyone know what our memory verse is this week? I haven’t taught it to you yet, but perhaps you looked ahead?” he asked.

Hannah had looked ahead. But she waited to see if anybody else was going to answer first. Finally she put her hand up. “ ‘Carry each other’s burdens,’ ” she said.

Pastor Chuck smiled. “Very good, Hannah!” he said. “Now does anyone have an idea what that verse means?”

“It means to be helpful to people,” Trevor said.

“Like if somebody falls down on the playground and gets hurt, you help them up and take them to the office to get a bandage,” Megan said.

“Good example,” Pastor Chuck said with a smile. 

“My dad says the best way we can help people is to pray for them,” Trevor put in. “And then sometimes God will give us ideas of other ways to help them.”

“That’s right!” Pastor Chuck agreed. “Just like God gave me an idea of how to help and encourage some special people who really need it,” he went on. “Do any of you know someone who is in jail?” he asked.

Nobody’s hand went up. 

“Well,” Pastor Chuck went on, “there are a lot of people in jails. And many times they feel completely forgotten by people on the outside.” He paused. “Do you know that the Bible tells us we should visit people who are in jail?” he asked. “Jesus tells us that if we visit people in prison, it is like we are visiting Him.”

“We can’t go to a jail! We’re just kids!” Joseph protested.

Pastor Chuck laughed. “I know,” he said. “So we’re going to do the next best thing.” He picked up his pile of cards. “We are going to write to some people in prison. We will encourage them with a postcard.”

“But I don’t even know anybody in prison!” Trevor exclaimed.

“That’s OK,” Pastor Chuck said. “I have a whole list of names right here.” He unfolded a piece of white paper and spread it flat on the table. 

“What do we say to somebody we don’t even know?” Hannah asked. Maybe she didn’t want a pink card after all.

“You could find an encouraging Bible verse and copy it on a card,” Pastor Chuck suggested. “We just want to remind these people that they have not been forgotten and that Jesus still loves them. Even if they are in jail.”

It was quiet in the Sabbath School room. Joseph opened his Bible to the middle. He wondered what an encouraging verse would be to someone in prison. His eyes moved down through the verses of Psalm 34. When he got to verse 4, he read, “I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me; He freed me from all my fears.” 

Joseph looked up. “I found a good verse!” he exclaimed. “I think it would be really scary to be in prison. I mean I would be scared! This verse says, ‘I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me; He freed me from all my fears.’ I could send that verse to a prisoner, couldn’t I?”

“I think it’s a perfect verse!” Pastor Chuck agreed. “Now write it on the back of one of the postcards. Sign the card, ‘Your friend at the Seventh-day Adventist Church.’* And then you can pick a name from my list here and copy the address on the front. Be very careful when you write the name and address. You have to get all the numbers just right, or the card won’t be delivered.”

Hannah reached for the stack of cards. She picked out a bright-pink one after all. Then she looked at the list of prisoner’s names. There were mostly men’s names on the paper, but two women’s names were at the end of the list. Hannah smiled. She just knew that a bright-pink card would cheer up a woman in prison. She was very careful as she copied the address on the front of the postcard. There were a bunch of numbers to get just right!

Hannah opened her Bible. If she couldn’t find a verse she liked, she could always use Joseph’s. His was a good one. But at least she would look for a little while. She began to read Psalm 20. Verse 1 was perfect! “May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble! May the God of Jacob protect you!” Hannah turned the postcard over and began to write carefully in her very best handwriting.

-Linda Porter Carlyle 

* Dear adult friends of children: It may go without saying, but I’m going to remind you anyhow: children’s names and/or addresses should never be attached to correspondence sent to prisoners. If you have a prison ministry at your church, see if you can get permission to take Our Little Friend® or Primary Treasure® into the prison. Prisoners have said they like to have them to read to their children when they visit.


For this story and more... subscribe to Primary Treasure by going to primarytreasure.com. 

Happy Memorial Day!

"Memorial Day is not just a three day weekend. It's about paying tribute to all our fallen soldiers each year in May."

Ms. Erikka, the cartoon teacher in the video below, teaches us some really interesting facts about memorial day! This video was created from children but even adults can surely learn something new from it too! 

As we take an extra day off this weekend, let's remember to pray for the families of those people who have lost their loved ones on the line & let's remember to give thanks for the many opportunities we have in North America. 

Also, if you would like some ideas on what to do this memorial day, click on the box below for some ideas from our Special Day Calendar! 

Me, a Missionary?

Can anyone tell me what is a missionary?” Mrs. Thompson asked her Sabbath School class.

“It is someone who goes to another country and tells people about Jesus,” Kayla said.

“It is a person like my Aunt Pat. She is a nurse, and she goes where people are really poor and helps them,” Jeff said.

“I think a missionary is someone who teaches the Bible to people in faraway places,” Abby said.

“You are all right! Missionaries do all those things,” Mrs. Thompson said. “But couldn’t we be missionaries right here at home?”

“How?” Jeff asked.

“Well, it is a missionary’s job to tell people about Jesus. Can’t we find people in our own town who need to know about Jesus? Perhaps we could invite them to church.” She paused a moment. “Let’s see if each one of you can bring someone new to church, for our special program next week.”

When Kayla and Abby met at school on Monday, they talked about whom they might invite and how to do it.

“I’m going to ask the two kids next door,” Abby said.

Jeff caught up with them in the hall and asked, “What if you ask people and they say no?” 

“Make it fun. I will tell them we are having a special program and will have cookies afterward,” Abby said.

“That might work,” Jeff said. “But I think I will invite Bill from my math class to go on the campout our boys’ group is planning. He will see how much fun we have, and when I ask him to come to church, he will already know some of the boys. It won’t be in time for our special program, but I will still invite him to church.”

Kayla was silent. She had thought about who she could invite over the weekend. She wanted to find somebody to invite to church, but she couldn’t think of anyone. Her neighbors on both sides already attended church. The only one left was Mrs. Case, who lived across the street. Mrs. Case never waved or spoke to Kayla except to yell when Kayla’s cat ran into her yard. “Get your cat out of my flower beds!” she would say while shooing Kayla’s cat with her broom.

Kayla took her seat in class and got out her books.

“Have you decided who you will invite to church?” Abby asked.

“No, not yet,” Kayla said.

“How about the new girl, Mindy?”

Kayla heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Abby. I forgot about Mindy.” Now she would not have to speak to Mrs. Case. She had hated the idea of going over there because Mrs. Case didn’t seem any friendlier to people than to cats.

When Kayla asked Mindy at lunchtime, Mindy said, “Thanks for inviting me, Kayla. But someone else asked me this morning. I’m glad I will see you there, though.”

Kayla was right back to where she started. The problem was she was shy. She wasn’t good at talking to people she didn’t know. But she had to ask somebody. She approached a girl in a lower grade and introduced herself and asked her. The girl was friendly but said she had been invited by someone else too.

“Looks like you are being guided to Mrs. Case,” Mom said when Kayla told her about her problem after school.

“What do you mean, ‘guided’?” Kayla asked.

“Well, sometimes when I put off doing something and it keeps popping up, I think that maybe Jesus is telling me He really wants me to do the thing I keep putting off. Or sometimes I feel like Jesus is trying to stop me from doing something because He has something else in mind for me. That is how I married Dad, remember?”

Kayla smiled. She loved hearing the story of how her parents met. Mom had been engaged to another man, but the wedding was put off when he lost his job. Then it was put off again when Mom broke her ankle. Then one night when she was on her way to meet the man she was engaged to for dinner, she got a flat tire on the freeway. A nice young man had stopped and changed her tire. That young man was Kayla’s dad. “You know that I believe Jesus guided me to your dad.” Mom smiled.

“Then you think I should invite Mrs. Case to church?” Kayla asked.

“I admit she doesn’t seem very friendly,” Mom replied, “but maybe Jesus is asking you to invite her. At worst, she will just say no.” 

Kayla sighed. She put down the book she had been reading, breathed a silent prayer, and headed across the street. Mrs. Case was out in her yard, planting flowers. “Hello, Mrs. Case,” Kayla said, trying hard to smile her best smile.

Mrs. Case looked up. “Hello.”

“My Sabbath School class is having a special program next week,” Kayla explained. “I would like to have you come as my guest.”

Mrs. Case paused. “I will have to think about that.” She dug a hole with her trowel. “My husband and I used to go to church, but after he died and I moved here, I haven’t gone at all.” She put a plant in the flower bed and patted it firmly in place. “I hate going to new places where I don’t know anyone.”

Kayla blinked. Mrs. Case was shy too! “You will know my mom and dad,” she said. “And the people at our church are nice. Won’t you try it just one time?”

Mrs. Case put some plants in a small clay pot. “Thanks for asking me. Let me think it over. I will call you tomorrow.”

Kayla smiled. “I really hope you will come.” She started back toward her house.

“Wait,” Mrs. Case said. “I have so many of these petunia plants. Would you like to take some home to your mother?”

“Thank you,” Kayla said, taking the plants Mrs. Case held out. “Mom loves flowers.”

She hummed a tune as she walked back across the street. Maybe Mrs. Case wasn’t so bad after all. Maybe she was just lonely—and shy. Kayla knew how that felt.

She skipped a few steps. It felt good to be a missionary, even in your own neighborhood. 

-Marie Latta


For this story and more... subscribe to Primary Treasure by going to primarytreasure.com. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Three days till Mother's Day!

Before sharing some resources, we just want to take the time to thank ALL the mothers of the North American Division. Because of your dedication, hard work, and love you have given your children & the community around you, we are able to serve some great children in our division.

Thank you for all your late nights, early mornings, packed lunches for school & snacks for church. Thank you for sitting down with your children and helping them remember their bible verses. Thank you for teaching them how to pray, how to love, and how to #SayYESToJesus.

We love you, mommas!

Happy Mother's Day!


Here are some great resources to use in your homes and classrooms this weekend!

The Red Pickup

By: Linda Porter Carlyle

MacKenzie Isabelle Evans stared out the car window. Then she bounced and squirmed and looked at the clock in the dashboard. “It’s only half an hour until the plane is supposed to land,” she said. “Are we going to be late?”

Mom reached over and patted her shoulder. “Stop worrying. We’re almost at the airport already. We’ll be there in plenty of time,” she assured her.

Mac twisted her head so she could see as much of the sky out of the car window as possible. “There’s a plane!” she announced anxiously.

Mom laughed. “Yep. That’s a plane all right. But it’s only a little private plane, not a jet.”

Mom signaled to make a right turn onto the airport road. The driveway into the parking lot was barred. Mom stopped in front of the bar next to a little white box on a metal pole. The box buzzed loudly, and a blue ticket popped out of a slot. It looked to Mac as if the box were sticking out its tongue at her. 

Mom took the blue ticket out and laid it on the seat beside her. The white box stopped buzzing. (Mom pulled its tongue right out! Mac thought with a giggle.) The bar raised itself, and they drove through and parked.

The big glass terminal doors slid open automatically. It was cool and dark inside the building. Mom studied the board where all the flight numbers and arrival times were posted. “It looks like the plane will be on time,” she said.

Mac and Mom went through the metal detector. It looked like a doorframe with no door in it. Mom had to put her purse on a belt. The belt carried the purse to where it disappeared inside a square black box. The gray-haired woman on the other side of the belt could see inside Mom’s purse with the X-ray machine. Mac looked at the screen that showed what was inside purses and suitcases. Imagine being able to see inside things like that! 

Mom sat down on a chair and pulled a book out of her purse to read while she waited. Mac went to stand in front of the huge windows that looked out over the runway. Maybe one day she would work at an airport. It would be especially fun to be one of those people who wore big ear protectors and waved long flashlights in their hands to signal the planes where to turn and where to stop. 

Pretty soon a big blue-and-gray jet swooshed down and sped by on the runway. “She’s here!” Mac exclaimed.

Mac could not stand still as she waited at the gate. She sort of jogged in place. It had been a whole year since her cousin Anna had visited. Mac could hardly wait to hear all about college. Anna was going to be a nurse. Maybe one day I will be a nurse like Anna, Mac thought. She pictured herself in an operating room, standing beside the surgeon. A bright spotlight shone down on the operating table. The surgeon moved to cut open the patient’s skin. Mac shuddered. Maybe she wouldn’t be a nurse.

“There she is!” Mac yelped as the passengers began to come through the door. 

Anna scooped Mac up into a big hug. Then she stood back and looked at her. “You’re taller,” she said. “And curlier,” she added with a grin.

Mac reached out and touched Anna’s beautiful straight brown hair. Anna put her finger on Mac’s mouth. “Curly red hair is much more special than plain old brown,” she said. 

Mac’s eyes danced. She loved how Anna could read her thoughts! “Do you like college a lot?” she asked. “What’s it like? Tell me all about your roommates!” 

Anna paused to give Mom a big hug. “I love college!” she answered. “But I’m really glad to be back in Oregon for the summer. And I’m really glad I could stop in Jacksonville and see you guys for the weekend on my way home!” 

Mac, Mom, and Anna headed slowly down the wide hall to where they could collect Anna’s suitcases. “Guess what!” Anna exclaimed. “Remember when I wrote and asked you to pray that I could get a car this summer? I asked my roommates and my friends at school to pray about it too. Well, I just found out yesterday that Uncle Mike bought a new car, but he didn’t trade in his old red pickup. He’s going to keep it. And he said I could drive it this summer while I’m home. So I don’t have to worry about how to get to my job every day! Isn’t that the greatest? I’ll have a truck to use, and I didn’t have to buy it!”

Mac felt warm all over. She loved knowing that a prayer she had prayed had been answered! Someday, she thought, when I am older, it will be my turn to pray for a car. I hope that God will remember that I like red pickups too. 


These Joseph stories will help you understand what your Sabbath School lesson can mean for you today. Find the first stories about Joseph and Mac at www.primarytreasure.com. Click on “Stories!” and scroll down to read 40 or so stories that happened before this story. Be sure to always get permission from the adult you live with before going on the Internet.

For this story and more... subscribe to Primary Treasure by going to primarytreasure.com.