Military families relocate 10 times more often than civilian families – on average, every 2 or 3 years.i This constant change of location can create stress on military families with young children. It also emphasizes the need for high-quality childhood education that is available anywhere a military family is located in the U.S. or worldwide.
The need for quality, consistency in military family life is helped by well-trained early childhood educators who understand military families and their children. For its part, the Department of Defense has a strong commitment to families of service members. That commitment is one of the reasons why the Council for Professional Recognition provides a CDA Credential specifically designed for early childhood educators who serve military families worldwide.
The DOD’s support of early childhood education produces consistent excellence in family childhood education and care centers worldwide whether they are located on- and off-base. “Military childhood education and care is some of the best in the nation and world. What has helped them to be the best is that they’ve had a strong and deep investment in the Council’s Child Development Associate® Credential. We’re proud to be part of their continuous success,” Valora Washington, CEO, Council for Professional Recognition.
An estimated 40% of military parents have children in the birth to five years of age range.ii Many of these young children attend early education facilities either part- or full-time. The DOD and the Council recognize that the educators teaching military children must be prepared with child development knowledge, but also trained in social emotional skills. It is this knowledge that will equip educators to work with and help any military children who may experience challenges related to their parents’ jobs or their transient military lifestyle.
Potential Challenges Military Families Face
• Relocation – including attending many new child care programs and adapting to new lifestyles• The impact of short- or long-term deployment or relocation of parent(s)
• Emotional and social distress
• Parental health concerns
As an educator working with military children it is important you know how to bring a positive perspective to the difficulties military families might face.
How Educators Address These Challenges
Reduce stressii
• Offer plenty of opportunities for children to move their bodies – indoors and outdoors
• Plan individual and group options for doing an activity
• Limit the time children have to wait
• Reduce the buzz and glare from overhead lights
• Spend one-on-one time with each child
• Establish routines and rituals
• Have fun together
Connect with familiesii
• Communicate with families daily
• Reflect the military culture in your child care setting
• Encourage families to visit during the day
• Send pictures or videos of the child care program’s daily life to the family
Foster healthy emotional and social developmentiii
• Help develop interactions and conversations to support positive relationships
• Teach children to express and identify emotion and reflect on the perspective of others
• Teach children to work on self-regulation and self-care
• Provide opportunities to be successful and involved in meaningful play
Remember that it’s important to create a routine for each child while having fun with activities. This balance can create a safe and nurturing environment for any young child undergoing any type of stressful event in his or her life.
i 11 Facts About Military Families https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-military-families
ii Mindsets to Support Military Connected Children & Families. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://bkc.vmhost.psu.edu/documents/HO_MIL_GI_Mindset.pdf
iii Washington, V. (2017). Essentials for Working with Young Children (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: The Council for Professional Recognition.
We have probably all seen the commercials this time of year when you can hear the popular holiday song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, playing in the background as parents dance joyously...
Did you know early childhood educators in Maryland have a special benefit that can help them and the children they serve? The Maryland State Department of Education has awarded a $1 million grant to the...
For the first time in three years, the Education Writers Association (EWA) gathered in person for their National Seminar in Orlando last month. The event drew journalists from across the country to hear from leaders...
In April 2022, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued new guidance and an Information Memoranda (IM) announcing the long-awaited, family-friendly policy of permitting families and guardians to use proof of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program...
Dasani wakes up before dawn each day at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York. After slipping out from under the covers, she goes to the window. On a clear day, she can see all...
The CDA Advisory Committee was created to provide insights, perspectives, and best practices to the CDA community and other early childhood professionals. Established during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the members’ first-hand experiences...
Where can you connect with CDA® holders and the wide range of folks who serve them? Turn to the Council Alumni Network (CAN), an online community that brings together current and past CDA earners, CDA...
Professional development is absolutely critical to your success, as well as the success of all the children in your care. Not to mention in most states, you’re required to complete a minimum number of training...
This month marks my second year at the Council for Professional Recognition. When I first arrived at the Council, I was no stranger to the organization or its mission, as I had been involved with...
Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
Read our monthly e-newsletter and keep up to date on all Council programs and services, as well as the latest news in the world of early care and education. Subscribe today to stay connected with us. You’ll receive timely information on events, webinars, special promotions, and more.
