APRIL IS DESIGNATED THE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD

~A MONTH TO HONOR & CELEBRATE THE SACRIFICES, RESILIENCE AND COURAGE OF OUR MILITARY KIDDOS~

History of Month of the Military Child

(Via U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity)

April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices and the challenges they overcome.

DoDEA joins the Department of Defense and the military community in celebrating April as the Month of the Military Child. In DoDEA communities worldwide, our most essential strategic imperatives are establishing an educational system that progressively builds the college and career readiness of all DoDEA students and establishing the organizational capacity to operate more effectively and efficiently as a model, unified school system. We aim to challenge each student to maximize their potential and excel academically, socially, emotionally and physically for life, college and career readiness.

Throughout the month, DoDEA will encourage schools to plan special events to honor military children and have administrators and principals incorporate this month’s themes into their everyday duties and responsibilities. These efforts and special events will stress the importance of providing children with quality services and support to help them succeed in the mobile military lifestyle.

WAYS TO CELEBRATE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD–PURPLE UP DAY

Purple Up Day 2026

• DoDEA Worldwide: April 15th, 2026

Wear purple on Purple Up Day April 15th – Wearing purple is a visible way for everyone to show support and thank military youth for their strength and sacrifices.

Web Site Feature – Schools can promote the Month of the Military Child on their web sites. Provide links to sites that offer resources for military families.

Publicize Installation/Community Events – Use the school newsletter to publicize Month of the Military Child events and activities hosted by the installation/community. Look for ways schools can contribute to these celebrations (setting up an information or activity booth, having teachers volunteer at events and activities, etc.).

Host an Assembly for Month of the Military Child – Hold a school assembly honoring military children. Include a performance by the band. Have students write a poem about what it means to be a military child and select several student volunteers to read their poems.

Salute to Military Children at Sporting Events – Have the announcer make a special announcement before, during or after sporting events recognizing all military children. Have them raise the flag, sing the National Anthem or recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Teachers Salute Military Children – Ask teachers at your school make a special project with their classes such as a picture frame, bookmark, journal, etc., that ties into the Month of the Military Child.

For more ideas (located at bottom of the page on the following link) – click 50 Ways to Celebrate Month of the Military Child

Throughout the country schools and communities take time to recognize the contributions of children whose parents serve in the military.

Military kids often face frequent moves, deployments, and reintegration making school, home, and community-life often challenging for military children. However, faced with such circumstances military children often continue to demonstrate resilience and courage.

The entire month of April is dedicated to honoring and celebrating our military kiddos. DoDEA Worldwide Purple Up Day (April 17th) is a special day designated #PurpleUp for Military Kids–on this day everyone should wear Purple to show your support of military children nationwide.

Give your military kiddos a hug and be sure to thank them—Military Kids Serve Too!

Visit U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity to learn more about Month of the Military Child