The Month of the Military Child got off to a hopping start April 1 when the Fort McPherson Child Development Center (CDC) staff held a cake cutting ceremony and sock hop for its children.
The event was the first of many that will occur each day, said Christine Darrisaw, lead preschool education technician.
The events, which will feature Future Career Day, ice cream socials, Easter egg hunts and Favorite Book Day, among others, were designed by the CDC staff with the goal of getting all the children and staff together for one final, big event.
"Since we're getting ready to leave (due to BRAC), we wanted to make it extra special," Darrisaw said, adding the final product was built on years of experience and input from the staff on what works. "We want to let the children know they are special and to show appreciation to their parents."
Joyce Davis, staff instructor, said the CDC staff did a great job coming together to create events to best cater to the children and their parents, who will be involved in Parent Volunteer Day Wednesday and the Month of the Military Child parade April 27. Besides providing the children with fun activities throughout the month, the events scheduled by the CDC also have the function of preparing the children for their upcoming move due to BRAC.
Because many of the events will be less segregated by class, Davis said it will help prepare children by letting them interact with others outside their normal classroom environment.
Additionally, the activities, although regulated, will be a change to the normal schedule the children are used to, Darrisaw said. Thus, it will hopefully help the children see change is not necessarily something to be scared of.
The children will also get more interaction with other teachers. Seeing new teachers will, hopefully, prepare the children to accept their new teachers wherever they end up, Davis said. "We want them to see there are good teachers wherever they go," she said, adding she hopes the children learn that no matter who their new teachers will be, they will still experience the same love and sense of extended Family.
Overall, Darrisaw said she was proud of her years of service at the CDC and hopes the final Month of the Military Child celebration is as enjoyable for the children, leaving them with plenty of good memories. "I hope it's fun and memorable," she said.
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