For young children, having a parent in the military can mean big changes—some difficult and others downright confusing. In honor of Veterans Day, this post offers guidance for teachers on how to support young children dealing with the transitions and uncertainties that often come with a parent’s military service.
The Emotional Toll of Military Life
Military families regularly face transitions and separations that can deeply impact children. For preschool-aged children, routines and familiar faces provide stability and comfort. When a parent is deployed or the family has to move due to a new assignment, preschoolers may struggle to make sense of these changes. They may experience feelings of confusion, sadness, and worry that are often hard to express.
Teachers are in a unique position to offer comfort and consistency to children during these times of change. With the right tools and understanding, teachers can help ease the impact of these transitions, making school a safe and stable space for children to explore and express their feelings.
Tips for Teachers Supporting Military Families
As a tribute to the dedication and resilience of our veterans and their families, here are some strategies teachers can use to support children coping with the realities of military life.
1. Create a Safe Space for Expression
Encourage preschoolers to express their feelings through age-appropriate activities like drawing, storytelling, or music. Offer prompts like, “Can you draw a picture of something that makes you feel happy?” Creating art, playing, or even just talking about what’s on their minds helps children process their emotions. Let them know it’s okay to feel sad or miss a parent who’s away.
2. Establish and Maintain Consistent Routines
For children dealing with the unpredictability of military life, school routines provide a much-needed sense of stability. Simple activities, like starting each day with the same song or story, help create predictability. Let the children know what’s coming next in their day, so they can feel secure even amidst outside changes. Routines offer a comforting anchor and give children a sense of control.
3. Introduce Books and Stories About Separation and Change
Children’s literature can be a powerful tool for exploring themes of change, separation, and resilience. Choose books that talk about military families or characters who experience moving to new places. Through stories, children can see reflections of their own lives and gain understanding and reassurance. Some titles to consider might include The Invisible String by Patrice Karst or Night Catch by Brenda Ehrmantraut, which address separation in a gentle and comforting way.
4. Encourage Friend-Making Skills
Moving and making new friends can be a daunting experience for young children. Teachers can support preschoolers by fostering a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment. Offer small group activities where children can work together and build friendships naturally. Games and group activities help shy children feel included and make the process of adjusting easier.
For a child who’s new, teachers can pair them with a “buddy” to help show them around, involve them in play, and make them feel part of the class. When teachers support children in building these connections, they help to create a sense of belonging and community in the classroom.
5. Practice Compassion and Understanding
Sometimes a child who misses their parent or is overwhelmed by a recent move may have a hard time adjusting to classroom expectations. Teachers can help by offering extra patience and understanding. A simple acknowledgment like, “It sounds like you’re missing your mom/dad a lot today,” can make a child feel seen and understood. Compassionate responses allow children to feel safe and heard, easing their adjustment to the classroom.
6. Communicate with Families
Stay in regular communication with families, particularly if you know they’re going through a challenging transition. Reach out to check in, offer support, and learn more about the child’s situation. This connection helps families feel supported and also allows teachers to gain insights into how they can best support the child at school.
Honoring Veterans by Supporting Their Families
In honor of Veterans Day, let’s remember that our nation’s heroes come in many forms, including those in our classrooms. Teachers play an invaluable role in the lives of military families, offering stability and comfort to children during times of change. By fostering a supportive classroom environment and being responsive to each child’s needs, teachers not only help children cope but also celebrate the hard work, sacrifice, and resilience of our veterans and their families.
On this Veterans Day, let’s salute the efforts of educators who, through their care and dedication, stand by military families and support the youngest members of our community. By taking these small but significant steps, teachers honor the sacrifices of military families, offering kindness, understanding, and a safe place to grow and thrive.
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