Month of the Military Child art show is family event Published April 29, 2015 By Senior Airman Sarah Hall-Kirchner 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Paint, paper airplanes, popsicle sticks, paper, and tape were just some of the art media that children at the Mazie V. Gilland Child Development Center used during an art show in celebration of the Month of the Military Child April 22. Parents were invited to the CDC to see their children's artwork and to participate in creative activities with their children. Around the CDC, in each playground, children and their parents smiled, talked, and bonded as they created art together. Jodi Cox, CDC Training and Curriculum Specialist, explained that it is important to celebrate military children, because they face unique challenges like being separated from extended or immediate family during their parents' deployments, temporary duty assignments, and training. "Events like this give parents an opportunity to create an art project with their children and see what their kids are doing," said Cox. "It gives all of us an opportunity to celebrate these children for their growing personalities and through their education." One child, Arianna Herard, 5, built a little house. She smiled and talked about how she carefully glued wooden pieces together to build a house and then painted it blue. "I love to do art; it is my favorite thing to do," said Arianna. "I liked painting it the most because I wanted it to be blue." Arianna is the daughter of Staff. Sgt. Amber Kelly-Herard, 18th Air Force Command Chief Executive, and Staff Sgt. Joseph Herard, 38th Cyber Readiness Squadron Cyber Defense Operator. She said her parents were both very special to her because they take care of her every day. "When they get me from school, mommy picks me up and gives me huggies," said Arianna. "My daddy puts me to bed and reads me a story that I like. I like to read, because my daddy reads to me." Cox said that bonds like Arianna's with their parents are one reward of working with children, and military children in particular. "Working with these kids is rewarding in many ways," said Cox. "Some of these kids have been with us from infancy into preschool, and we're very attached to them. It's rewarding, because we get to watch them grow and their personalities develop."