4 Ways to Support Your Child(ren) at the End of the School Year
As the school year draws to a close and summer approaches, many parents or caregivers notice an increase in challenging behaviors from their children. Kids who have been doing well may suddenly become more emotional, defiant, clingy, forgetful, or prone to meltdowns. Some may even seem to “regress,” exhibiting behaviors that parents and caregivers thought they had outgrown.
While this can be frustrating, it is important to understand that it is very common. The end of the school year brings significant changes for children. Saying goodbye to favorite teachers and classmates, and hello to new routines and expectations and, lead to a loss of predictability in children’s daily lives. Even children who are excited about summer can feel stressed by these transitions. Young children often lack the words to express feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, sadness, or overwhelm. As a result, these emotions may manifest through their behavior.
Parents and other caregivers may observe:
- Increased whining, arguing, or defiance
- More emotional outbursts or tantrums
- Difficulty following directions
- Heightened clinginess or separation anxiety
- Sleep disruptions
- A return to behaviors they had previously outgrown
When these behaviors arise, it can be helpful to view them as a form of communication rather than intentional misbehavior. Children may be expressing that “something feels hard right now,” even if they cannot articulate it.
To support your child during this transition, consider the following strategies:
- Maintain Routines: Even if summer schedules become more flexible, keeping consistent wake-up times, mealtimes, and bedtime routines can provide a sense of security.
- Acknowledge the Transition: Let your child know that big changes can bring out big feelings. Simple statements like, “A lot is changing right now, and that can feel exciting and hard at the same time,” can help them feel understood.
- Stay Calm and Connected: Children often‘borrow’ our calmness when they are struggling to find their own. Responding with empathy can help children regulate their emotions more quickly than immediately jumping to consequences or corrections.
- Expect Some Bumps in the Road: Temporary increases in challenging behavior do not necessarilyindicate that something is wrong. For many children, this is simply part of adjusting to a new season and routine.
The good news is that most children settle into their summer routines within a few weeks. With patience, consistency, and connection, parents can help make this transition smoother for everyone involved. If your child’s behavior becomes severe, persists beyond the transition period, or significantly impacts family functioning, consider reaching out to a pediatrician, school counselor, therapist, or the Parent Navigation Coach at JFS, Becky, rgoldman@jfsseattle.org for additional guidance.
As Jewish Family Service’s Parent Navigation Coach, Becky Goldman provides short-term, supportive guidance to parents and caregivers who are navigating concerns related to their child, adolescent, or young adult’s emotional, behavioral, developmental, or school-related needs. She offers a compassionate space for parents to share what’s going on, help identify needs, and connect families with trusted tools, strategies, and community-based resources.