From summer to school days: helping your child transition
By: Marissa Pollet
As the school bells begin to ring on a new year, many families experience a common seasonal shift from the slow, carefree days of summer to the structured schedules of the school year. While some kids welcome the return of classrooms, school friends, and extracurriculars, others may struggle with the change. The transition from summer to school routines is more than just logistics, it brings about emotional and psychological changes as well. As a parent understanding how this change can affect them and where to lend support can make a huge difference in setting them up for a successful school year.
Why the Transition Can Be Tough
Summer often means the joy of late bedtimes, family vacations, and minimal pressure. School, on the other hand, brings a highly structured environment of early mornings, homework and social dynamics. For some children this change and added pressure can bring stress, anxiety and behavioral issues both in and out of the classroom.
How Children May React Differently
Not all kids express stress the same way. Here are a few common reactions you might observe:
• Excitement mixed with nervousness: Especially in younger children or those entering new grades or schools. Their emotions are intertwined making it challenging to separate or notice initial changes.
• Irritability or mood swings: Some kids may act out without knowing why they feel overwhelmed.
• Fatigue: The mental and physical toll of new routines can leave children exhausted. It’s a lot to stay present and focused throughout an entire school day.
• Withdrawal: Others may become quieter or isolate themselves as a coping mechanism. Immediately escaping to their room for long periods of time of providing little to no information about their day.
It’s important not to assume that a child is “just being difficult” or “needs to get over it.” Every child is different, and transitions take time. Observing your child and watching forconsistent new patterns that seem off is important to determine how you can best support your child.
How You Can Support Your Child
There are several proactive steps you can take to make the transition smoother:
1. Ease Into Routines
Resetting bedtimes, wake times, and mealtimes to an earlier timeframe if possible. After school activities can make this challenging but adjusting the structure of the morning and evening helps the body and mind to transition effectively.
2. Create a Visual Schedule
Children (especially younger ones) benefit from seeing their daily routine. Use pictures or charts to lay out the morning routine, after-school activities, and bedtime prep. Prepare what you can the night before and allow your child to help with tasks depending on their age. A fully made school lunch prepped and ready to go the night before will help lower morning time stress.
3. Validate Their Feelings
Let your child know it’s normal to feel nervous, tired, or even sad about summer ending. Avoid dismissing their emotions with phrases like “You’ll be fine” or “Don’t be silly.” If your child feels heard and supported, they will feel more willing to share about future struggles.
4. Build in Downtime
School days are packed, so give your child time to relax, play, and decompress at home.
5. Open Communication Channels
Ask open-ended questions about their day, such as:
• “What was the best part of today?”
• “Was anything hard or confusing?”
Warning Signs Your Child May Be Struggling More Than Most
While some transitional stress is normal, there are red flags that could suggest your child is having a harder time than expected:
• Frequent physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches, etc.) with no medical cause
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Sudden drop in academic performance or refusal to go to school
• Excessive clinginess or separation anxiety
• Persistent sadness, irritability, or anger
• Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
If you notice these persistent signs, consider reaching out to a school counselor, pediatrician, or child therapist for support.
Change Can Be Challenging
Transitions are a normal part of life, but that doesn’t mean they’re always easy to navigate. As parents and caregivers, we can ease the burden by creating structure, validating emotions, and keeping the lines of communication open. As you help your child navigate the start of a new school year, remind them that they are never alone and you are there for support and guidance. This school year can serve as a teaching tool that it’s not just about eliminating the discomfort of change but rather navigating this journey in healthy ways that lead to long term growth.
Our team of caring professionals at Inspired Wellness are here to provide support and guidance towards your path of mental wellness. We believe that every individual has the ability to be the best version of themselves and our goal is to set you up with the tools to maintain a well-balanced life that will place you on the path towards lifelong change. We strive to create a non-judgmental environment coupled with therapeutic practices that are tailored towards each individual. At Inspired Wellness our team aims to do exactly as our name says, inspire you towards a beautiful life of strength and wellness!