MSU Extension 4-H Military Family Programs

Home Again

• Title: Home Again
• Author: Dorinda Silver Williams 
• Illustrator: Brenda Gilliam 
• Publisher: Zero to Three 
• Date of Publication: 2009
• Audience Age: 1 and up 

Summary 

This board book describes what homecoming can feel like from the point of view of young children. It shows several different families that experience the return of a service member and describes the feelings of the littlest family members.

Pre-Deployment Activities 

Take several pictures of the service member before they leave. Take pictures of them in their uniform and in civilian clothes. Use these pictures throughout the deployment to help remind the child of what their service member looks like no matter what they are wearing. Have the child and service member choose a book they like to read together. Tape a picture of the service member on the inside cover of the book. Record the service member reading the book.

During-Deployment Activities 

Take pictures of the child every few weeks wearing the same outfit or in the same setting. Send them to the service member so they can experience how they are growing and changing while they are away. Have the child draw pictures to send along with the photos. Read the book the child and service member chose together. Look at the picture taped to the inside cover. Listen to the recording of the service member reading the book before bedtime.

Post-Deployment Activities 

Make a special welcome home sign for the service member. Have the child draw pictures and help decorate the sign. Read the special book the child and service member chose together. Read the book together as a family but also allow time for the service member and child to be together quietly. Take a new photo of the child and the service member. Display it where it can be seen every day

Supporting Military Families During Deployment with Books & Activities

Deployment involves moving an individual or military unit within the country or to another country. A mission or task might include training, supporting communities during times of disaster, helping foreign countries or fighting in a war. The many changes happening with each departure and return create difficulties for both service members and their families.

Michigan State University (MSU) Extension and Michigan 4-H are committed to supporting the more than 20,000 Michigan military children and youth, and their families, through programming and community education. 

Programs for Military Families Include: 

• 4-H clubs on installations and in communities
• "4-H 101" and "4-H 201" training for military staff
• Operation: Military Kids (OMK) - supporting children of deployed soldiers
• Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) - preparing teens to speak on military life and deployment 
• Hero Packs - saying thank you to military children and youth
• Military 4-H Club Grants - supporting 4-H clubs for military youth and integrating them into county 4-H programs
• Community Awareness Training - educating the public on issues facing military families experiencing a deployment
• Special recognition events during Month of the Military Child and Month of the Military Family 
• Educational and recreational events and opportunities for military families 

4-H Military Family Book Sheets

The 4-H Military Family Book Sheets help parents and guardians find books and activities to help their children during various stages of their service members’ deployments. Each book sheet contains a summary of the book, author and publication details, and activities that they can use with their children pre-, during or post-deployment to extend the message of the book. To find each book, check with your local library, bookstore or online retailer. 

• Before reading: Show your child the front and back cover of the book. Ask him or her to guess what the book is about. 
• While reading: Stop at any time if something comes up that you or your child would like to talk about. 
• After reading: Spend time talking about the story. 

Learn More! 

Connect with us on Facebook: Search "Michigan Operation: Military Kids" and "Michigan 4-H." 

For more information on supporting military families, visit the following websites: 

• MSU Extension: (msue.anr.msu.edu)
• Michigan 4-H Youth Development: (www.4-hmilitarypartnerships.org)
• Operation: Military Kids: (http://www.operationmilitarykids.org)