KinderJam Salutes the Military Child

KinderJam was created for the military child, one specific military child.  El Brown’s story isn’t unique in the military community.  Her 18 month old wasn’t developing speech while her husband was deployed in Iraq.  Contrary to being unique, her story is quite common. 

Many stay at home mothers report “forgetting to talk" to their infants during the day.  In a typical 2 parent home, adults are able to model fluent speech for young children.  This is just as important as speaking directly to your baby because it shows how language is used to communicate.  However, when one parent is deployed, the opportunities to hold a back and forth conversation are limited.  Add the stress of a deployment and the isolation of a new PCS move, and you have created the perfect storm for delayed speech.  This story is so common in the military community, the doctor’s assured Mrs. Brown she had nothing to worry about.  Her son would develop speech, eventually.

But those doctors didn’t know El Brown, or her son.  Most military doctors do not have the opportunity to get to know their patients the way civilian doctors do.  It’s not that military doctors give inferior care, but they only service their patients for an average of 3 years. A civilian doctor may care for the same child, and his siblings for over 18 years.  Ricky II was just another military kid with a deployed parent whose mom was having a hard time. He’d start reaching bench mark milestones, eventually.

But El knew better.  She had experience as a DOD teacher, educating military children living over seas.  She was aware of their struggles.  The frequent moves. The inconsistency in education and medical treatment. The time spent away from parents, extended family and the constant shifting of friendships in a transient community.  

She knew all the odds that are stacked against the children of our Armed Service Members. She knew that although her son might catch up eventually, that this wasn’t something that should be left to chance.  She knew that her baby deserved more, that all of our babies deserve more.

And so KinderJam was born.

And became one of the many opportunities available for the military child.

Because despite the odds, our children are amazing.  They are more than just resilient.  Military Children understand the world in a way that most of us can not comprehend.  They see the world as a small place, full of people that are more alike than they are unalike.  They can adapt like chameleons.  Their social skills rival the most skilled of diplomats.  Our military children are  living examples to America that sacrifice, although difficult, yields great rewards.

They deserve the best we can give them.  Everyday, all the time. April is the month of the military child.  Celebrate them. Treat them to something special. Give them more hugs than they ask for.  

The KinderJam family would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere hand clap to your military children.  Woo-Hoo!