MSU Extension 4-H Military Family Programs

Sammy's Soldier 

• Title: Sammy's Soldier 
• Author: Sarah L. White 
• Illustrator: Kathryn Pedroza 
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Date of Publication: 2007
• Audience Age: 1-3 years  

Summary 

Sammy's dad is leaving for deployment. Sammy talks about all the things his dad will have to take with him and how much he will miss him while he is gone. 

Pre-Deployment Activities 

Talk about the different parts of your uniform. Show your child the different pieces of clothing, special patches or other parts like hats or boots. Explain what they mean and let your child try on different pieces. Take a picture of your child in the uniform and a picture of you in uniform to keep with each of you throughout the deployment. Draw pictures of what you will miss doing with your service member while they are away. Keep these drawings to remind you that you can do those things again when they return. Think about who else you can do those things with while your service member is gone.

During-Deployment Activities 

Record your child telling a story to your service member and send it to them via email. If your child doesn’t want to tell a story, record them helping you read a story. Write letters and draw pictures to send to your service member. Write about how school is going and what you have been doing while they have been away.

Post-Deployment Activities 

Make a sign to welcome your service member home. Use an old sheet and markers to make a large sign or use construction paper or poster board for signs that are smaller. Decorate it with things from around the house and use their favorite colors. Spend time doing one of the activities that your child drew in the pre-deployment activity.

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)