Military Children
By Miriam Peregrino, Taylor Sharp, and Elizabeth Zabel
Who Are Military Children?
Possible Effects of Deployment on the Child
-Confusion
-Lack of long term connections
-Lack of involvment in school activities
-Lack of stability
-Separation anxiety
-Distress
Signs of Distress in a Child
-Increased crying/tearfulness
-Clinging to favorite toy or blanket
-Becoming very quiet
-May experience an increase in violent behavior
-Irritable or crabby
-Drop in grades
-Anger
-Complaining
-Does not want to go to school
Tips and Strategies for Teachers of Military Children
-Each month, invite the student to pick out a paper or project they are most proud of and send it to their deployed parent
-Be understanding
-Have a military parent or spouse come in to talk to the class
-Challenge them
-Treat them with respect
-Put them in groups so new military students will get to know other students
-Communicate with the parent that is at home about how the student is doing at home and in the classroom
I Miss You! By Beth Andrews
A book all about deployment that helps children deal with all the emotions of having a parent leave home.
Off to War By Deborah Ellis
A book consisting of real life interviews with military children and the wide range of emotions and situations they encounter.
Love, Lizzie By Lisa Tucker McElroy
A fictional story depicting the long distance relationship between a child and her deployed mother through written letters.
Websites
About the Military-
For Families-
Military Impacted Schools Association:
http://militaryimpactedschoolsassociation.org/
For Children-
Military Kids Connect:
https://www.militarykidsconnect.org/
Books for Parents-
The Military Father: A Hands On Guide For Deployed Dads by Armin A. Broth
The Military Family's Parent Guide for Supporting Your Child in School by Ron Astor
Books for Teachers-
Deployment: Strategies for Working with Kids in Military Families by Karen Petty
More Books About Military Families-
Resources for Children, Teachers, and Families Affected by Military Deployment:
http://www.naeyc.org/files/wc/file/200803/BTJ_Military_Deploy_Resources.pdf