Mission: Family: ‘Toolkit’ to help schools, others in understanding military children - Army Spouse and Family Resources - Army Times

Mission: Family: ‘Toolkit’ to help schools, others in understanding military children

When you see kids on military installations, it’s a safe bet that they are children of military parents.

But most military kids attend schools off base and participate in sports, Scouts and other activities in the local community.

School officials and coaches don’t always know that a particular child comes from a military family — and military parents may not always tell them. Some don’t think about it, assuming that everyone knows. And some parents may not want others to know.

But there are potential benefits for military children when others are made aware. For example, it helps to have other adults’ eyes watching for signs that a child is having trouble coping with the fact that Mom or Dad is deployed.

But it’s also simply good for children to have other adults in their lives who care about them and can be good role models.

A new tool is available that military families can provide to others in their communities to help them understand the military and its impact on elementary school-age kids.

The “Toolkit About Military Kids,” similar to its predecessor, the “Toolkit About Military Teens,” offers “10 things military kids want you to know.”

Compiled by the National Military Family Association, it comes from the perspective of military kids ages 6 to 11 who have attended the association’s Operation Purple camps for children of deployed military personnel.

The kit is a 13-page reference available for download here. It can also be ordered in a paper version.

The kit offers a one-page discussion, list of resources and suggestions for each of 10 issues.

For example, military children are proud of their parents’ service. So NMFA suggests creating a board in the classroom, locker room or house of worship recognizing service members.

Under “separation,” suggestions range from offering to help with carpools to sports and school activities, to using the location where the parent is deployed as a geography lesson.

To help children cope with concerns about the safety of their deployed parent, NMFA suggests educating parents on basic child development so they know what information is age-appropriate for the children to hear, what a normal stress reaction is and when it’s time to get help.

Many people in the civilian community want to know how they can help military families, so let those you trust know about your deployment.

Get the word out to your coaches, teachers, neighbors, community leaders, religious leaders, family friends and relatives about this free kit.

They’ll be grateful — and it could make a big difference for your child and many others.