Militarization of Early Childhood Socialization in Belarus (Preschool Sector), 2025
In Belarus, institutions normalize military ideology among children aged three to six
Militarization in Belarus begins already at the kindergarten level: children aged 3–6 are regularly exposed to military symbols and narratives, as well as to the direct presence of representatives of law-enforcement and military bodies. Formally, these practices are framed as «patriotic education», but in substance they function as early military socialization – through the authority of the uniform, rituals, «approved» narratives, and the integration of military infrastructure into children’s everyday life.
At the level of practical implementation in Belarusian preschool institutions, the same mechanisms are repeatedly observed:
· external supervision by military and law-enforcement bodies(visits, joint events, participation in «educational» formats);
· ritualized forms of «patriotism» (children’s public performances, symbols, «lessons», ceremonies);
· normalization of the military environment as a space for children (including organized visits to military facilities or the direct participation of military personnel in kindergarten events);
· public replication through departmental media (photo galleries and reports in which children serve as a «showcase» of correct upbringing).
Slavgorod (14 March 2025). In Kindergarten No. 2, an event titled «A Letter about Belarus» was held with the participation of the Prosecutor’s Office: a representative of the Prosecutor’s Office addresses preschool children with theses about the agency’s role in ensuring «order/safety», despite violations of the principles of legality and human-rights protection in Belarus documented in international human-rights mechanisms.
Fanipol (26 June 2025). In Kindergarten No. 2, a «patriotic» event took place as part of the campaign «Belarus Peaceful! Belarus Beautiful!» with the participation of servicemen from the 15th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade. They were presented to preschool-age children as acceptable and desirable participants in the educational space.
Brest (2025). Officially, it was reported that the practice of organized group visits to the 38th Brest Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade continues; among such groups, pupils of preschool institutions were specifically mentioned. The format included excursions, demonstration training sessions, and sports activities on the territory of a military facility.
Thus, the embedded nature of these practices is ensured not by «isolated initiatives», but by an institutional model: interaction between educational institutions and military/law-enforcement bodies is formalized through stable partnerships and regular activities, while «patriotic education» is used as a channel for introducing the military agenda into early education. This creates a situation in which a child’s contact with military symbolism and the authority of law-enforcement bodies begins at the kindergarten level.
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