Engaging Non-Speaking Kids in Sunday School

You love pouring into the children in your ministry. You tell Bible stories with enthusiasm, lead worship with joy, and create engaging activities to bring God’s Word to life. But then, there’s that moment—when you ask a question, invite participation, or encourage connection, and a child just stares at you. Maybe they look frustrated, maybe they seem disengaged, or maybe they don’t respond at all.

It’s not that they don’t want to join in—it’s that they can’t. Not in the way they might want to.

If you’ve ever struggled to engage non-speaking children in Sunday school, you’re not alone. Many ministry leaders feel the same way, unsure how to help kids who communicate differently feel included. That’s where a Communication Book comes in. This simple tool can bridge the gap, giving non-verbal and minimally verbal children a way to express themselves and fully participate in worship, Bible lessons, and social time.

Let’s walk through how to use a Communication Book in your ministry so that every child has a voice.

💡 What is a Communication Book?

A Communication Book is a tool filled with symbols, pictures, and words that help children express themselves. It’s especially helpful for children who are non-speaking, have limited verbal skills, or use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

Kids can use it to:
✅ Ask for help
✅ Share how they feel
✅ Participate in worship, Bible stories, crafts, and social time
✅ Communicate needs like needing a break, going to the bathroom, or wanting a snack

It’s a game-changer for inclusion, but only if it’s used effectively. Here’s how to make the most of it in your Sunday school or church setting.

💬 Step 1: Always Have It Available

A Communication Book only works if kids have easy access to it.

🔹 Keep it within reach of the child at all times.
🔹 Bring it to every part of their church experience—worship, lesson time, activities, etc.
🔹 Assign a buddy, teacher, or volunteer to help support its use.

When it’s always available, children learn that it’s their tool for expressing themselves.

💬 Step 2: Model, Model, Model!

Children won’t automatically know how to use a Communication Book—it takes modeling (demonstrating how to use it in natural ways).

Instead of just handing them the book, use it yourself:
👉 “It’s time to sing!” (point to "sing")
👉 “Do you want more?” (point to "more")

Even if a child doesn’t respond immediately, keep modeling! Over time, they’ll understand how to use it by watching you. Consistency is key here.

💬 Step 3: Watch for Communication Attempts

Not all communication looks the same. Some children will:
⭐ Point to a symbol
⭐ Hand you the book
⭐ Look at a symbol
⭐ Use gestures or body language

Be on the lookout for these cues and always respond as if they’re trying to communicate—even if their message isn’t totally clear. Encouraging all attempts builds confidence.

💬 Step 4: Support, Don’t Force

A Communication Book is a bridge, not a test.

❌ Don’t force a child to use it.
✅ Do encourage and honor any effort to communicate.

Some children may need help pointing to symbols. If appropriate, gently guide their hand or offer choices to support them. Keep it positive and low-pressure!

💬 Step 5: Use It Throughout All Activities

The book isn’t just for when a child is struggling—it should be used in every part of church life.

✨ During transitions: “Let’s go to the lesson.” (point to "lesson")
✨ During worship: “Do you want to sing or dance?” (point to options)
✨ During Bible story time: “How do you think they felt? Scared or happy?”
✨ During crafts: “Do you need help?”
✨ During breaks: “Do you need a break?”

The more it’s used, the more natural it becomes!

⭐ Quick Tips for Success

✔️ Be patient—learning to use the book takes time.
✔️ Celebrate all communication, even small attempts.
✔️ Keep it consistent—use it regularly so it becomes familiar.
✔️ Normalize it—use it with the whole class sometimes to show that different ways of communicating are okay.

By incorporating a Communication Book into your ministry, you’re helping ensure that every child—no matter how they communicate—can fully participate in church, hear about Jesus, and feel included in their faith community.

Ready to get started? I have a Church Commutation Book that's made just for you. All you need to do is print, laminate, and put it into action! 

👉 [Grab the Church & Sunday School Communication Book here!] (make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to find the book!)

Let’s make church a place where every child has a voice. 💙