Home Evening Lessons on Disability Awareness and Inclusion

Family playing games together

Objective

Help family members understand:

• Things that are good to do when you meet someone with a disability

• All of God’s children can help one another

Hymns and Songs

• I Am a Child of God (Children’s Songbook, 2)

• Every Star Is Different (Children’s Songbook, 142)

• I’ll Walk with You (Children’s Songbook, 140)

• Jesus Said Love Everyone (Children’s Songbook, 61)

• Love One Another (Hymns, no. 308)

• I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus (Children’s Songbook, 78)

Lesson for Young Children

As a family, read “Katie and Quincy” from the October 2018 Friend. Discuss the “Friends with Disabilities” section at the bottom of the story, including some of the things that are good to do and things that you should not do when you meet someone with a disability.

Activity for young children: Role-play meeting someone with a special need. Practice doing some of the things that you should do when you meet them. See if family members can guess what you are doing from the list of suggestions in the article.

Lesson for Youth

As a family, read “Really Seeing the Gospel” from the October 2018 New Era. Then discuss the following:

• What were some things that impressed you about Conner?

• What were some things that Conner’s family and peers did that impressed you?

• Can you share any experiences in your life where you have been influenced by an individual with a disability?

• Do you have a disability? What are things others have done that have not been helpful? What are some things others have done that were helpful? How did these situations make you feel?

• How can you help all of God’s children feel loved and welcome?

Challenge

Identify at least one thing you could do this week to help all of God’s children feel loved and welcome in situations you will be in.

See “How Do I Talk to My Kids about Disabilities?” Ensign, June 2020, 58–59.