Take time to honor a military child!

Yes, April is the Month of the Military Child. We think it's wonderful that organizations recognize the unique circumstances of a child being raised with parents in the military and take the time to honor these children! There are many challenges a military child faces from numerous moves, including living in a different country, to having parents deployed for extended periods of time. The schools are encouraged to plan activities to support and recognize our children since we play such a vital role in their lives and provide an environment of stability especially when there may be many stressors occurring at home.  AND as teachers, we know how important it is to build our students' self-esteem and recognize their self-worth.

Here are some FUN activities that do just that!

Military Me:

“My military child sees amazing parts of the world, not just learns about them in books ~ meeting people and making friends from all around the world”

Children’s Writings:

          

Wordle T-shirts:

“My military child doesn’t know his grandparents very well or any other family member stateside ~ watching their little hearts break when we tell friends good bye. I think it makes it that much more special when we do take them "home" to see family."

Tech4Learning Pixies:

Other Activities:

“We love being here because it's a lot like where we grew up (farms and country). We have made some great German "family" friends by being here.”

Kindness Book:  Dandelions by Eve Bunting
  

OMG!  Talk about making connections to a book whose message is so close to our hearts:
  

  The dandelion is like the military child.  Its 

  seeds are scattered by the wind and it puts

  down roots anywhere.  It adapts to life

  among other plants surviving in any location             around the world!

This pioneer family moves looking for a better life despite the family’s depression and sadness.  Trying to cheer her mom up - she finds something that she hopes will make her mother happy:  a clump of dandelions. After Zoe and her sister plant the dandelions on the roof of their sod house, their mother agrees that their family is hardy and will bloom just as the dandelions are sure to do no matter where they live. This is so true about our military families!  I accidently came across this book and I just finished previewing it and am excited to read it to our kids!  

Month of the Military Child Books: These were all simply wonderful and were more special to listen to because they were read by our parents!

“I do think military kids have to grow up a bit faster just because of everything they have to deal with...sometimes I feel like they don't get to "be kids"  They deal with so much uprooting and sadness telling friends bye.”

Apps for Military Kids:

All Fixed Up Interactive Kids’ Book for iPads

An excellent app for children who have a parent in the military and deployed!  It does so much! You can customize your voice or your child’s voice, add your interests, draw your own story and then share with your loved one who is far away!  Does a lot for 5.99!

Feel Electric!

This app is also geared for the military family.  It’s free and I particularly like the words that express the emotions of how one may be feeling.  Lots of activities.

The Big Moving Adventure

This app is free all and geared to the 2-5 year old child.  The child can create his own friend and help him/her through the moving process of hearing the news, packing, saying goodbye, expressing their feelings, traveling, looking for a new home and going through the cycle of making new friends.  Does this sound familiar? 

Month of the Military Child Pinterest Board:
  
  

Customize a digital greeting card

Freebie:

 Salute the Military Child Product:

“not belonging to a "home".  The saying “Home is where the military sends you” is the key!!  We make the best out of where we go ~ Deployments/TDYs...so Daddy misses activities, special days, birthdays, plays, games…”

I hope you will take away an appreciation for our military children.  I leave you with a heart- warming video that shows their patriotism.  Have a wonderful week!

http://youtu.be/6kMUxy6dkCQ