4 Ways Educators Can Support Students from Military Families

Military families face unique challenges, and as a teacher, you have the opportunity to offer much-needed and valuable support to the students in these families. Frequent moves, separations from deployed parents, and other stressors can have a negative impact on students’ academic and social-emotional well-being. Providing a stable, compassionate environment can make a positive impact that lasts for years to come. Consider these 4 ways to support students from military families in your classroom:

Special Considerations about Students from Military Families

Understanding the social-emotional challenges military children may face can help you better adjust your teaching strategies for these students. Consider each of these common factors:

Frequent Changes

Military families may relocate every few years based on military assignments. With these frequent changes, children can experience disruptions in school and with peers. 

support students from military families

This all can impact academic performance and social relationships. The consistency you create within your classroom can help students ease into the inevitable changes. 

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a common feeling for children in military families. Deployment or extended absences of a parent can trigger this emotional response. When children experience separation anxiety, it may appear that they are acting out or choosing not to engage. 

child feeling sad about parent deployment


When this response happens, it’s important for you to be patient and ensure your students feel safe to express their feelings within your classroom.

Incorporate opportunities that encourage students to express their emotions like:

Feeling Isolated

Some military children may also feel “different” from their peers due to their experiences; this can result in feelings of isolation. 

Promoting a classroom environment that celebrates diversity and understanding of different family dynamics can help these students.

How to Support Students from Military Families

It’s also important to take time to learn about the specific needs and challenges each child is facing. Many children will respond differently to the same challenges, so the time you spend getting to know your students will be well worth it.

When you understand the unique challenges and common feelings these students are experiencing, you can provide more tailored support for them. 

1. Build Strong Relationships

    First, don’t overlook the benefits of building strong relationships with your students. Developing trust and rapport is vital as these children might have a hard time creating close bonds with others due to frequently moving.

    Greet them with a smile (& maybe a high five or hug, too!), take interest in their background and likes, and acknowledge the special quality they add to your classroom.

    When students feel understood and valued, they are more likely to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically!

    2. Acknowledge and Celebrate Their Experiences

      Next, be sure to include military themes in your classroom discussions and celebrations. Don’t overlook important military holidays like Veterans Day!

      This helps students feel connected and proud of their family's service. Recognizing their experiences is a great way to show empathy and validate the wide range of emotions military children may feel. 

      3. Provide Consistency 

        Provide consistency in your classroom too! For students who experience frequent changes in their lives, the clear, expectable routines within a classroom can make a world of difference in the day-to-day. 

        Use visuals in your classroom to help military students easily jump into routines without having to ask lots of questions.

        student feeling supported by military parent

        4. Use Themed Resources, Books, & Videos

          Finally, use low-prep activities and themed books and videos to effectively support students from military families in your classroom. 

          Resources

          Use this Walk in My Veteran Shoes activity to help students learn about empathy and perspective-taking. It’s the perfect option for your Veteran’s Day lesson or to add before or after a new student from a military family joins your classroom.

          Easily differentiate this activity for older students by using the handout version or for younger students with the workbook version.

          Five different military characters are included as well so that students can reflect and write about how they can show empathy toward others.

          Books

          Children’s books are another instrumental tool in helping students understand and cope with the challenges of military life!

          *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I get a small commission that costs you nothing and helps me continue to provide this content. 

          deployment childrens book

          “Deployment: One of Our Pieces is Missing” by Julia Cook

          This book by Julia Cook addresses the challenging and fun changes a military family experiences when a parent is deployed. It honors the sacrifices military families make daily in a kid-friendly and relatable way.

          companion lesson about deployment and supporting students from military families

          Use this companion lesson after reading the story to help students learn about ways to cope with military family issues like an upcoming deployment and post-deployment. This resource includes detailed lesson plans, printable and digital learning options, and 10 low-prep and engaging activities!

          hero dad book about military parents for kids

          “Hero Dad” by Melinda Hardin

          In Hero Dad, kids see how a little boy’s dad is like a real superhero. He explains that his dad flies through the air, has X-ray vision, and more. The real military-related words and first-person voice used throughout the story and help even the youngest children better understand and express their feelings and thoughts.

          children's book about female jobs in the military

          “My Mommy’s in the Military” by Kell Caggiano-Hollyfield

          This book follows Matthew and his mom who is in the U.S. Space Force. All of Matthew’s daycare friends have moms who work in the military too. Children learn about the many different jobs available to women in the military as they enjoy this heartwarming and beautifully illustrated story. 

          book for kids about parent deployment

          “I’ll Lend You My Daddy” by Becky King

          This story is about a bond between a child and a deployed father. Children learn how to cope with their feelings while they wait for their fathers to return. Support from family members and friends, phone calls, and care packages can help little ones during these hard times and help them understand the importance of their father’s service to our country. This book can easily be applied to deployed moms too!

          Video

          Videos are another great way to explain deployment to younger students. The familiar characters in this one help little ones feel supported as they learn to express different emotions.  

          Sesame Workshop: Deployment Story

          As a teacher, your support can make a significant difference in the lives of students from military families as they face unique challenges and big emotions. With the right strategies and resources in hand, you can encourage resilience while providing a safe space for these students to learn and grow!

          You might also be interested in reading:

          3 Simple Ways to Teach Diversity in the Classroom

          Teaching Conflict Resolution in the Classroom 

          3 SIMPLE Ways to Help Students Cope with Grief and Loss  

          You might also be interested in these products:

          Walk in My DIVERSE Shoes - Empathy Activity

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