Month of the Military Child – What It Is & What You Can Do
📅 What is the Month of the Military Child?
April is recognized as the Month of the Military Child in the United States. It’s a time to celebrate and honor the resilience, strength, and sacrifices of children in military families. These children often experience frequent moves, long separations from a parent, and other unique challenges, yet they continue to thrive with courage and adaptability.
The month was established in 1986 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger to bring awareness and appreciation to the lives of military-connected children.
🎗️ Why It Matters
Military children:
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Move 6–9 times on average before high school graduation.
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Often deal with long deployments or absences of one or both parents.
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Adapt quickly to new schools, friends, and routines.
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Serve and sacrifice alongside their families.
Recognizing them helps build understanding, support, and inclusion in schools and communities.
💡 What Teachers and Schools Can Do
1. Celebrate “Purple Up! Day”
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Encourage students and staff to wear purple, the color representing all branches of the military.
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Many states observe Purple Up! Day around mid-April. (E.g., April 15 or a nearby weekday.)
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Host a school-wide photo, banner, or assembly in honor of military kids.
2. Create a “Wall of Heroes”
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Display photos or drawings of students’ military family members.
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Let children write short bios or thank-you notes to honor them.
3. Morning Announcements or Spotlights
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Share daily facts about military children.
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Spotlight a military child each day and let them share their story or a fun fact about their life.
4. Classroom Activities
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Write letters or draw pictures to send to military families.
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Read books about military families (e.g., The Invisible String or Hero Dad).
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Include social-emotional learning focused on resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
5. Invite Guest Speakers
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Host a military parent or veteran to talk about their role and how families are involved in service.
6. Offer Support and Recognition
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If you have military-connected students, check in with them individually.
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Recognize their experiences during transitions, testing, or parent deployment.
👨👩👧 What Families and Communities Can Do
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Share stories and experiences of military life at home or in community groups.
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Attend local events hosted by bases or veteran organizations.
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Help non-military families understand and appreciate military kids' unique strengths and challenges.
