Helping Young Children Handle the Changes of Military Life: The Role of the Early Childhood

Professional

This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture,and the Office of Family Policy, Children and Youth, U.S. Department of Defense under Award No. 2010‐48869‐20685. 

TODAY’S TOPICS

• Changes faced by children in military families

• Effects of stress on the developing brain

• Strategies to help children handle the stresses of military life

• Communication with military families

BRAINSTORMING• What do you know about the

experiences of children in military families?

• What changes and transitions do children in military families typically face?

• How might these changes affect young children?

MAJOR CHANGES IN MILITARY LIFE

• Permanent Change of Station (PCS)• Deployment • Reunification• Parental injury• Death of service member• Other changes

CHILDREN IN MILITARY FAMILIES FACE STRESS

is any external stimulus that threatens the normal balance of

equilibrium in the body

THE STRESS RESPONSE• Stressors cause changes in the brain

» Release of cortisol» “Fight or flight” response» Increased heart rate and blood pressure» Highly focused attention

• Primitive parts of the brain take over

LEVELS OF STRESS• Positive Stress

» Everyday experiences• Tolerable Stress

» More challenging stressors» Presence of supportive

adult(s)• Toxic Stress

» Extreme stresses» Absence of support

DANGERS OF TOXIC STRESS

• Fewer brain connections• Persistent hyper-arousal• Impulsivity and aggression• Reduced ability to learn

KEY FACTORS THAT MITIGATE STRESS

• Loving, responsive, consistent relationships

• Safe environments• Consistent routines and

expectations• Experience regulating

positive stresses

ADULT-CHILD INTERACTIONTHE “STILL FACE” VIDEO

(See http://www.zerotothree.org/child‐development/early‐childhood‐mental‐health/to view this video)

STRESS IN CHILDREN FROM MILITARY FAMILIES

• Multiple changes in caregivers• Leaving behind what is familiar• Adapting to new environments

» Family and home» Community» Child care

• Stress in adults• A parent who comes home “different”

CHANGES IN PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS AFTER DEPLOYMENT

• Unexpected developmental changes• Changes in family routines• Young children with little memory for

parent• Stranger anxiety• Confusion and stress

HOW CHILDREN RESPOND TO STRESSES OF MILITARY LIFE• All children need extra emotional

support• Each child adapts to change differently

» Withdrawal» Aggression» Regression

• Some children are more resilient than others

STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN IN

MILITARY FAMILIES• Create a positive environment• Provide support for individual children• Build relationships with families• Help connect children

with the deployed parent

CREATING A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT

Establish and follow regular routinesCreate a safe, peaceful environment Choose developmentally appropriate activitiesSet and enforce limitsProvide opportunities to express feelings through play

SUPPORTING INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN

Build a secure attachment Identify and respond to individual needsLabel children’s emotionsBe prepared for a child to enter or leave your home suddenlySupport children through transitions

BUILDING SECURE ATTACHMENT

• Be nurturing• Be respectful• Be consistent• Be dependable• Be patient

LABELING EMOTIONS• Help children identify and name

feelings (sad, angry, lonely, excited, etc.)

• Identify both positive and negative emotions

• Avoid telling children they are “okay”

IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

Take time to observe the child’s behavior and moodRespond to non-verbal cuesCommunicate with families

CONNECTING CHILDREN TO A DEPLOYED PARENT

• Ask the parent to record a story for the child before leaving

• Create a photo book of the child with the parent

• Allow for electronic communication

• Encourage the child to create art or stories for the parent

EVERYDAY COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES

• Establish a relationship from the beginning

• Have an open door policy• Exchange information

with families• Suggest activities for

parent and child to do together

SUPPORTING FAMILIES DURING TIMES OF STRESS

• Talk with parents prior to deployment• Check in daily during transitions• Get to know grandparents or other

substitute caregiversHelp families seek outside support

FOR MORE INFORMATIONMilitary Families Learning Network blogs.extension.org/militaryfamilies/child-care/

QUESTIONS? IDEAS?

Diane Bales, Ph.D. Cooperative ExtensionHuman Development and Family Science The University of Georgiadbales@uga.edu