Month of the Military Child
The Month of the Military Child each April celebrates Service children.
Being a Service child can come with challenges, from parents being regularly away to having to move home and school regularly. Service children adapt to these challenges and their efforts should be recognised.
Month of the Military Child logo
The month is led by the Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding Team (AFFS) within the MOD, with support from charities, schools, and other MOD departments.
The range of events and activities that take place vary from art and poetry competitions to events at military bases and schools. Every year the last Friday of the month is ‘Purple Up! Day’ - a chance for everyone to dress in something purple to show their support.
6 ways to celebrate the Month of the Military Child:
- Enter the Month of the Military Child art/ poetry competition.
- Hold an assembly to discuss Service life and the many things Service children have experienced.
- 26 April is ‘Purple Up! Day’. Wear purple to show your support for Service children and run an event on that day.
- Brainstorm ideas with your children to create a permanent reminder in the school of your support for Service children.
- ‘Share your story’project: Get children to think about their life experience and how they might share this with the rest of the class.
- Mark all the locations your Service children have lived on a map and build this into lessons.
Contact
For further information about the Month of the Military Child, email: People-AFFS-Education-Mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Related information
- Living in our shoes: understanding the needs of UK Armed Forces families
- UK Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022 to 2032
- SSCE Cymru: Month of the Military Child
- Celebrate Month of the Military Child this April - Forces Children’s Education
- Month of the Military Child art/ poetry competition
- Month of the Military Child – Naval Childrens Charity