Notes

Best Preschool Baltimore
Effects of Military Deployment on Preschool Children and Tips to Help Support Them and Their Family
The Department of Defense reports that approximately 2 million children in america are in a military family and approximately 200,000 children have a parent at war at any moment.

Many military families seemingly take military deployment as a given and in stride. Many families usually do not, especially when you put in a preschooler to that mix. Preschoolers do not know how to have a parent being away for long periods of time "in stride."

preschool Clinton township derive from daily routines and it is how they "tell time." When they brush their teeth during the night, for example, they know what comes next- perhaps a tale or prayer with a parent and then time for bed. If you make an effort to tuck a preschooler into bed who is used to this kind of routine, they will be confused and the conversation could be something like:

Parent: "Time for bed! Hop under the covers."

Preschooler: "It's not bed time yet!"

Parent: "Yes it is. It's 7:30."

Preschooler: "No, it isn't! It's not bedtime!"

Parent: (pointing at clock), "Sweetie, it really is 7:30. It's time for bed."

Preschooler: "But I didn't brush my teeth!"

They do not necessarily desire to brush their teeth for the dental hygiene benefits! They would like to brush their teeth because that's their routine; it is how they know it really is bed time.

With a military parent deployed, you can imagine how many daily routines will now vary for the preschool student. This confusion may reveal in behavioral issues not typical because of this child.

A research study on the consequences of deployment on preschoolers (1) note hitting, biting and hyperactivity as the most reported behavioral changes. The children are reacting not only to a parent being away for a long period, but also to the additional stress of the increased responsibilities on the parent not deployed. Preschoolers detect this stress naturally. In addition they will notice the reduced time spent with the parent still in the home due to the parent's increased responsibilities.

The American School Counselor Association and the National Association of School Psychologists offered 5 pieces of advice for families to consider when one parent's military deployment is nearing. I've added advice for strategies that we, as teachers and caregivers, can apply inside our classrooms.

1. Stick with routines; maintain consistency.

Families should try their finest to help keep their daily routines (such as for example morning routines, bed times and daily chores) as consistent as possible because the deployment date nears.


Teachers should, as discussed above, keep routines the same. The consistency and predictability can help the preschooler feel better.

2. Communicate often and always.

Families: The Associations advise that families share news, feelings and strategies to overcome sad feelings and to avoid minimizing what's happening. Children cannot tell time. The household can help the kids have a visual time reminder by creating a countdown calendar to count the times before parent leaves or comes home.

Teachers: Telling a child that Mommy or Daddy will be back soon will not really be understood by the preschooler. Their SOON and our SOON is very different. Find out from the parents when the deployed parent will return to be able to show the preschooler on a calendar should they ask when Mommy or Daddy are coming home.

3. Keep kids (and spouse) involved in healthy habits.

We all melt away stress and worry in our own ways! We may talk on the phone with friends, visit the gym or simply tap our foot incessantly! Preschoolers need strategies to reduce stress also!

Families: Encourage the parent to add their preschooler on an everyday walk to melt away any stress or anxiety together and for some nice together time.

Teachers: If you observe that this preschooler has a lot of energy at a certain time of day, they probably have to burn it off! Consider adding a music and movement, gross motor or outside time and energy to your day for all your children during this time period.

4. Adopt a good behavior plan.

Families should keep carefully the same behavior expectations and consequences set up after a parent is deployed. Young children understand consistency. Letting unacceptable behaviors slide in the home makes it possible for those behaviors to become regular behaviors.

Teachers: As discussed above, it is so important to keep your routines and expectations the same before the deployment and after. Yes, be aware that this child is feeling angry and frustrated due to being separated from their parent. Usually do not, however, allow inappropriate behaviors to "slide" because you know where it's via. It's still not o.k. to hurt our friends or throw our toys. Be consistent with these expectations and redirect the kid acting out. Tell them you understand they are angry, nevertheless, you cannot let them _________ (throw toys, push others, etc.).

5. Demonstrate and verbalize your love.

Families: The advice from the Associations for families here is "Hug long, hard and frequently!" The volume of stress the parent in the home is under is tremendous. Their thoughts are in 19 different directions. Remind them to take a break and just be-read a story with their kids and take time for an extra hug!

Teachers: Reach out to families. Offer books or book lists to help with this particular time of separation for his or her children. Also, send cards to the parent at home to remind her or him that you are thinking of them!

Military deployment could be for several weeks or for per year. Regardless of the period of time, remember that time is not concrete for preschool children. A good week from a parent can feel just like an eternity to a kid. Be familiar with changes in behavior and keep carefully the communication with parents open and constant!

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