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It is likely that some children and families in your care will face challenging life events that can put their mental health and overall well-being at risk. Such events might include death, divorce, job loss, relocation, violence in the home, or separation. As a child development professional you will also likely work with children who experience deployment, or you may experience deployment in your own family. Deployment is a difficult time in the lives of children and families. Each family handles these challenges differently, and each child will have unique needs. Nevertheless, there are typical changes you can expect as children experience challenging and stressful transitions and life events.

This lesson describes the effects of stressful events on young children's lives while highlighting ways you can support children and their families during times of crisis. You will learn the typical emotional and behavioral experiences of preschool children before, during, and after deployment, and ways you can support children and their families at each stage of deployment.

Stress in Young Children's Lives

Young children's reactions to stress may be different from older children's reactions. Unlike older children, younger children may not always be able to verbally express exactly what they are feeling; for example, whether they are afraid, anxious, confused, angry, sad, or feeling helpless (Zero to Six Collaborative Group, National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2010). Often their feelings are manifested in their behaviors and these behaviors can be clues about what they feel inside. When dealing with stressful events, children may: become clingy or fearful of new situations; demonstrate aggression; experience difficulty sleeping; or even appear to lose recently acquired skills. Let's consider deployment and how it can affect children and families.

Emotional Characteristics of Deployment

Deployment is a challenge for any family. For families faced with repeated or multiple deployments, the following seven-stage emotional cycle describes their typical emotional cycles.

When families learn about the deployment, they are faced with preparing themselves financially, emotionally, and physically. The deploying parent may need to spend extra time at work prior to the departure. Both parents may spend a great deal of time getting ready for the deployment, packing, filling out paperwork, performing routine home or auto maintenance, finding babysitters or making extra childcare arrangements.

Before Deployment

For many families, especially those who have been deployed before, there may be a period of detachment or withdrawal prior to deployment. Family members might emotionally prepare themselves for the pain of separation by isolating themselves. During this period, there might be fights or anger.

在部署之前，儿童体验了各种情绪。他们可能不明白为什么他们的母亲，父亲或其他家庭成员必须离开。幼儿觉得他们的父母正在离开的“故障”是常见的。当孩子们对部署有关的问题时，这会发生这种情况。因为学龄前儿童的万博体育全站app时间感并不完全发展，他们可能会在家庭成员离开时感到焦虑或混淆。他们可能不明白分离将持续多久甚至是分离是暂时的。他们可能会被他们在家庭中看到的变化混淆。部署父母可能需要在准备部署工作时花费额外的时间，并且配偶可以通过参加必要的法律，医疗或财务事项来安排作为单一父母的终身。

所有这些情绪都可以以不同的方式表现出来。在这个阶段，孩子可能会撤回，悲伤或安静。常规的变化可能使孩子更有可能采取行动。您可能会看到更具侵略性的行为，发脾气，哭泣或回归（例如，厕所训练或拇指吸吮问题）。

During Deployment

When a family member begins their deployment, the at-home family members go through a period of disorganization. They may be sad and anxious about how the family will function. The at-home caregiver may feel overwhelmed by responsibility. It takes time to settle into new routines. Eventually the family recovers and develops routines that work for them; they have a new "normal."

Once the parent has deployed, children will go through a range of emotions. They may be sad, lonely, confused, angry, or scared. Fear of separation is one of the major concerns of preschool children. They may be afraid that the remaining parent will leave or abandon them. They may need constant reassurance that their parent or guardian is close by or will pick them up from child care. They may be afraid that the deployed parent is in danger.

In child development programs, you may see children behaving more aggressively. You may also see children become clingy, shy, quiet, or fearful. Fears are common for all preschool children, and deployment may increase their fears. They may be drawn to adults for comfort.

After Deployment

As the day for the return draws closer, the family prepares for more changes. They may be excited about the family member's return. They may feel a little nervous about whether their relationship with the deployed family member has changed. When the deployed family member returns, the family goes through another transition. The non-deployed caregiver might have mixed emotions about their changing role; this person has "done it alone" for quite some time and must renegotiate roles and expectations. Children may also have a hard time bringing the deployed family member back into their daily routines. The deployed person may have doubts about where they fit into the family. Again, over time, the family stabilizes.

Immediately before and after the parent returns, the child may be excited and energetic. The child may also feel a little nervous and shy about the parent returning. Children may be scared that they won't recognize their parent. They may also be afraid that the parent will leave again. They may be confused by the changes happening in their home as family members visit and their parents negotiate new roles.

See

How can programs support children facing challenging life situations? Listen as this manager discusses how she and her program support families who experience deployment. If no parents in your program experience deployment, consider similar circumstances where a family caregiver is absent for an extended period such as incarceration or a serious long-term illness.

Connecting During Deployment

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保护性因素:培养年轻的弹性Children and Families

儿童和家庭的特征有可能在经历压力事件时保护它们的属性。儿童的复原力研究表明，儿童的显着保护因素是关怀，积极和保护性护理人员的一致性（零至六个合作组，全国儿童创伤压力网络，2010）。这个人可以成为特定儿童的持续资源，并鼓励他们谈论他们的经历，并提供儿童生命中的成年人正在努力保持安全的保证。

根据疾病控制和预防的中心和国家伤害预防和控制中心，当您时，您可以支持面临压力挑战的儿童：

• Maintain consistent classroom routines as much as possible. This provides children with a much-needed sense of stability and safety.
• Provide opportunities for children to talk about what is going on, but do not force them to talk if they don't want to. Encouraging children to talk about their feelings and validating them strengthens children's coping as they hear that all their feelings are OK.
• 随着时间的推移，注意儿童行为的变化。行为的变化，例如摘除或从朋友撤出，可能表明孩子需要额外的支持。
• Encourage families to connect with other families who may be dealing with similar stressors. Connecting with others allows families to share experiences and healthy coping strategies.

The remainder of this lesson focuses on how you can support children and families before, during, and after deployment.

Support Before Deployment

最重要的是，您可以帮助家庭找到所需的资源，例如军事一个来源（http://www.militaryonesource.mil/) or other resources available in their particular Service. Pre-deployment counseling can help families learn ways to prepare children for the deployment.

Encourage families to talk with their children honestly about the deployment. It is important for families to help children understand:

• Why the parent is leaving: The deploying parent has an important job to do and they know how to do the job well; they are not going alone.
• 部署父母要离开
• 在父母离开之前，家庭会一起做些什么
• How the child will communicate with the parent while they are deployed
• What will stay the same when the parent leaves: for example, one parent will still be here for breakfast and dinner, the child will still go to the same child-care program, the family will still have fun together, etc.

Also encourage families to start thinking about ways to help the child feel close to the deployed parent. Are there personal items the parent and child can exchange before the deployment (e.g., a picture or favorite t-shirt)?

Support During Deployment

在部署期间，您可以帮助孩子和家庭维持正常的惯例尤为重要。在部署时期不是时候将孩子转移到新教室或照顾者的时间。向孩子保证他们的父母将像往常一样选择孩子。提供很多拥抱和舒适。尽可能简单地回答孩子的问题。

Integrate emotional literacy and problem-solving into your curriculum. Help children learn to recognize and deal with emotions. Talk about emotions every day. Look at pictures of children with different emotions, read stories about feelings and deployment, do activities that let the child identify and talk about their feelings. Help the child develop strategies for calming down and dealing with anger or fear.

帮助父母解决问题的准备arise. Parents may be confused by changes in their child's behavior. A parent may feel alone and unsure of how to provide discipline or guidance. The parent may feel frustrated by challenges with toilet training, tantrums, or baby talk. The parent may go through periods of self-doubt, depression, or helplessness. Remember that it is important for parents to take care of their own mental and physical health. Help them connect with a Family Readiness Group, behavioral health counseling, or clergy. You can provide resources, training, and support around positive guidance and discipline. You can also help families think of ways to make life easier during the deployment. Use conversations, newsletters, and family nights to help families share ideas like:

• Keeping track of time by putting a coin in a jar each day of the deployment; the child can buy the parent a homecoming gift upon their return
• Going on family hikes
• Have a family movie night
• Draw pictures or write letters to the deployed family member
• Have a family camp-out in the yard
• Schedule "date nights" (or days) with each child individually
• Create a family calendar
• Figure out a special way to say goodnight to the deployed family member each night

Support After Deployment

Celebrate with the family and the child. Answer questions and let the child talk. Acknowledge the child's feelings, and help the child find words or pictures to describe those feelings. Make sure they know all feelings are OK. It is normal to feel shy or nervous when you haven't seen someone for a while. Recognize that this is a major transition for the family, and they will likely need to be connected with resources and supports. Work with your program to identify resources you can share.

Case Example

Read the following scenario and think about the suggestions provided to support children in your care during the different phases of deployment.

Wayne and Natalia, parents of a child in your class, both serve in the military. They met while on assignment in Asia and have been serving together around the world ever since. They love travel and living in new places. In their eight year marriage, they have had two international assignments. They had their first child, Ximena, four years ago, and she is now a child in your preschool program. Although they have moved frequently, they have never been deployed at the same time-- until now. Wayne and Natalia have both been assigned six month tours of duty. In some regards, Wayne and Natalia feel well prepared for the trip: they know Natalia's mother will care for Ximena, and they have completed all the pre-deployment paperwork for Ximena's insurance and care. They feel less prepared for the emotional toll of such a long separation. What can you and your program do to help this family, and particularly Ximena, before, during, and after the dual deployment?

You may consider the following:

• 鼓励家人开始与Ximena交谈即将到来的部署。
• Talk about where the parents are going and why.
• Prepare Ximena for what will stay the same: she'll sleep at grandma's like she does sometimes now, she'll still go to your child development program, play her favorite games, eat her favorite foods, and have her special dolls and toys.
• Create personalized stories about her parents and what is going on while they are away for Ximena to read while she is at preschool.
• 在课堂上的困难时期创造一个可以安慰西纳的特殊物品（例如，从妈妈或爸爸的衬衫中享用枕头，为西纳睡觉）。
• 提供Ximena，并在儿童保育中具有一致的常规和可预测的仪式。
• Include reminders at child care about routines that seem difficult for Ximena. You can do the same about routines that have been challenging at home as well.
• Talk with Ximena about emotions and encourage her to share her emotions by drawing pictures or writing notes to her parents. Remember, you can help young children write the words they share aloud. Comfort her when she needs extra support.
• Share messages or notes that the parents sent to the child development center to be shared with Ximena.
• Provide honest responses to Ximena's questions or comments about her parents. For example, if she shares that she is scared, you can say, "I am scared sometimes too," or you can address a question about her parents by saying, "Your mommy and daddy are doing everything they can to be safe." Avoid elaborate responses which can be overwhelming to her.
• When Ximena's parents return home, help Ximena talk about her emotions: anxiety, shyness, excitement. Make sure she knows all emotions are OK.
• Organize a special activity that involves Ximena and her parents once they are back from deployment. For example, a parent-child lunch or picnic.
• Encourage Ximena to express her feelings and share how she feels.

Take Care of Yourself

You provide crucial support for children and families. You cannot do that, however, if you don't take care of yourself. Helping children through difficult and sometimes tragic times can be incredibly challenging. You might find that your own mental health mirrors that of the people around you. Make sure you take time to reflect on your own needs. Talk to people around you about your feelings. Talk to your supervisor about resources in your community for families experiencing deployment or loss. Taking care of yourself will make you better able to care for children. You can also learn more about your own self-care in the教师的社会与情感学习（自我T）狗万app怎么下载and theSelf & Cultural Understandingcourses.