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026: More Inclusive Spaces for Kids with Disabilities (Part 2)

026: More Inclusive Spaces for Kids with Disabilities (Part 2)

Creating an inclusive space requires us to think intentionally about our environments, language, resources, leadership, and the culture we’re creating for every kid and family. In this two-part episode of Kids Ministry Answers, we’re tackling a question about how to create more inclusive ministry environments for kids with disabilities and their families. So we asked Nicole Woods and Jena Kitchen to join us to share strategies, tools, and perspective shifts that can help ministries create cultures where every kid and family can truly belong.
QUESTION:
“How can we create a more inclusive ministry for kids with disabilities and their families?”
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to…
Evaluate your ministry’s current culture and identify barriers that may keep kids with disabilities and their families from fully belonging
Create more accessible environments using practical tools, visuals, sensory supports, and adapted resources
Listen to and learn from people with disabilities and their families instead of making assumptions about what inclusion should look like
Move beyond individual accommodations toward a ministry culture where disability inclusion shapes your environments, practices, and leadership

Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!
Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Resources Mentioned:
Talk Tiles
Sensory bottles 
Joni and Friends — 5 Stages of Culture Change
Boardmaker
Free adapted memory verses, books, and visuals 
Amy Julia Becker — How Disability Changed What Easter Means to My Family 
Radiate Resources – use the code KMA-includes for 20% off Personal Reflection Prompts
Organizational Checklist Tool for Disability Inclusion
Disability Rights & Disability Justice Overview
Disability Inclusion Training Modules

025: More Inclusive Spaces for Kids with Disabilities (Part 1)

025: More Inclusive Spaces for Kids with Disabilities (Part 1)

Creating an inclusive space requires us to think intentionally about our environments, language, resources, leadership, and the culture we’re creating for every kid and family. In this two-part episode of Kids Ministry Answers, we’re tackling a question about how to create more inclusive ministry environments for kids with disabilities and their families. So we asked Nicole Woods and Jena Kitchen to join us to share strategies, tools, and perspective shifts that can help ministries create cultures where every kid and family can truly belong.

QUESTION:
“How can we create a more inclusive ministry for kids with disabilities and their families?”

ANSWER: 
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to…
Evaluate your ministry’s current culture and identify barriers that may keep kids with disabilities and their families from fully belonging
Create more accessible environments using practical tools, visuals, sensory supports, and adapted resources
Listen to and learn from people with disabilities and their families instead of making assumptions about what inclusion should look like
Move beyond individual accommodations toward a ministry culture where disability inclusion shapes your environments, practices, and leadership
Ask a Question: Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

Resources Mentioned:
Talk Tiles
Sensory bottles
Joni and Friends — 5 Stages of Culture Change
Boardmaker
Free adapted memory verses, books, and visuals
Amy Julia Becker — How Disability Changed What Easter Means to My Family
Radiate Social Impact Consulting Resources – use the code “KMA-includes” for 20% off  Personal Reflection Prompts
Organizational Checklist Tool for Disability Inclusion
Disability Rights & Disability Justice Overview
Disability Inclusion Training Modules

024: Strategic Nursery Ministry

024: Strategic Nursery Ministry

Few ministry environments require more trust than your nursery. Parents are handing you their tiniest and most vulnerable family members, so creating an environment where babies are cared for well and families feel confident matters. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, we’re answering a question about how to create a nursery ministry that cares for babies well and builds trust with their families. So we asked Brooklyn Lindsey to join Linda and Jason to share practical strategies for creating a nursery environment that is clean, safe, peaceful, developmentally appropriate, and spiritually meaningful.

QUESTION:
“What should I be doing to set up my nursery more effectively?”

ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to…
Create a clean and safe nursery with clear procedures, trained volunteers, and consistent safety practices
Build a peaceful environment that helps babies feel comfortable and gives parents confidence
Provide developmentally appropriate experiences that intentionally engage and care for babies
Make your nursery spiritually meaningful by showing God’s love to babies and supporting their families
Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.

If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

023: Behind the Scenes of Grow Kids Curriculum

023: Behind the Scenes of Grow Kids Curriculum

Behind every series we create at Grow are months of planning, collaboration, biblical study, creative decisions, and lots and lots of revisions. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, we’re answering a question we get all the time about how we create all of the curriculum and resources at Grow. So we asked Emily Nguyen to join Linda and Jason to pull back the curtain on the collaborative process, biblical strategy, and creative decisions behind everything we include inside Grow Kids Curriculum.

QUESTION:
“How do you create all of the curriculum and resources at Grow?”

ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how we…
Collaborate with real ministry leaders, writers, editors, designers, and creators throughout every step of the process
Build a three-year scope and sequence that helps kids experience the whole story of Scripture
Start with Scripture before developing themes, activities, and resources
Create memorable themes and clear weekly Big Ideas that help biblical truths connect with kids and stick long after church is over
Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.
Resources Mentioned:
Grow Curriculum

022: A More Strategic Parent Ministry

022: A More Strategic Parent Ministry

Ministry to kids will always, necessarily involve ministry to parents. But building a healthy parent ministry strategy can feel overwhelming when you’re not sure where to start. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Bri has a question about how to develop a parent ministry strategy that actually works. So we asked Elle Campbell to join Linda and Jason to share practical ways to earn parents’ trust, build meaningful partnerships with families, and create a strategy that helps parents feel supported all year long.

QUESTION:
“How do we develop a parent ministry strategy that works?” — Bri Law

ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to…
Earn parents’ trust by consistently communicating, listening well, and following through on your plans
Create meaningful opportunities for parents to build memories with their kids and connect with your ministry
Build face-to-face relationships through meetings, discussion groups, and intentional one-on-one conversations
Keep parents equipped, informed, and encouraged with consistent communication, practical resources, and regular celebration
Ask a Question:
Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!

Subscribe & Review:
Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away.
If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

Resources Mentioned:
Annual Planning Meeting to see how this all looks on a calendar
Grow Strategy to plan your year 
All parent resources/Family Bundle