141st - Deployment Resources (Ages 3-5) Deployment - Emotional Signs and Coping Strategies 0-3 3-5 5-8 8-12 13-18 Adults Children: Ages 3-5 Pre-Deployment Emotional Signs: Clings to people or favorite toy Unexplained crying/tearfulness Changed relationships with same age friends Prefers adults over same aged friends Increased aggression Suggestions for Coping: Listen carefully to them and accept their feelings Reinforce that you love them unconditionally Express interest in their activities (games, books, songs) Ask child to draw a special picture for parent to take with them Brainstorm with children creative ways of keeping in touch...cassette tapes, puzzle letters, encoded messages, etc During Deployment Emotional Signs: Clings/unexplained crying tearfulness Changed relationships with same aged friends Prefers adults over same-age friends Increased aggression, shrinking away from people Shrinking away from people Sleep difficulties (nightmares, waking) Regressing in toileting/thumb sucking Eating difficulties Suggestions for Coping: Give children a method of measuring the passage of time such as a ceremonial crossing-off on each day on the calendar Talk about the deployed parent often and spend time looking at scrapbooks and photo albums with children Help children "write" letters and encourage them to draw pictures to send Reunion / Homecoming Emotional Signs: Feels guilty for making parent go away Shrinks away from returning parent Intense anger at home/school Needs "proof" parent is real Pokes, hits, tests limits Acts out to get attention Is overly demanding Suggestions for Coping: Be affectionate and playful with your spouse; your toddler will join in Sit on floor and wait for your little one to approach you Never force your toddler to hug, kiss, or play with you. Listen carefully to them and accept their feelings Reinforce that you love them unconditionally Express interest in their activities (games, books, songs)