When Transitions Are Challenging For Kids
Hi, Practice families!👋
Spring break often brings a welcome pause — a chance to slow down, reset, or travel. But then it is straight into end-of-school-year chaos!
With disruptions to usual routines (even for fun, end-of-year events) and the end of the school year looming, you might notice your child feeling more sensitive or less motivated than usual. These shifts aren’t necessarily cause for concern, but they can be gentle signals that your child could use some additional support.
Understanding what’s happening, and having a few practical strategies you can use at home to provide that extra support, can go a long way in making the next few weeks smoother.
🔍 A Few Signs That May Be Worth Paying Attention To
Your child seems more reactive to small frustrations
They’re more clingy or withdrawn than usual
School feels harder to get excited about
They seem hesitant in social situations, unsure how to reconnect with peers, read cues, or handle tricky moments with friends.
They mention not wanting to go to school or feeling left out
These moments can be important cues. They may be your child’s way of showing they need a little extra connection, reassurance, or space to reset.
💬 5 Practical Tips to Support Your Child At the End of the School Year
Start with empathy, not a fix
When your child is overwhelmed, what they need most isn’t a solution — it’s your calm. Emotional regulation often begins with co-regulation, when your steady presence helps them feel safe. We often explain this to kids using a volcano metaphor in Mighty Minds: big feelings don’t just erupt, they build. When we notice early signs, we’re better able to pause before reacting.
Name what’s hard (even when they can’t)
Kids don’t always have the words, but they still feel the emotions. Naming what they might be experiencing helps them make sense of their inner world. For example, “I wonder if part of you feels nervous about finishing second grade, even if you're also feeling excited about summer?” Visual tools, like a feelings chart (Mighty Minds), can offer an anchor if they’re not sure how to explain.
Protect downtime, even if it’s just 10 minutes
After a long school day, your child’s nervous system might need a break before they can transition smoothly into homework or evening routines. Quiet drawing, a snack break, or some deep breaths can make a difference. One strategy we use with younger kids in Mighty Minds is name breathing, where they pair their breath with each syllable of their name to anchor in the moment.
Be curious, not corrective
When your child has a tough moment, try asking, “What do you think was going on for you?” instead of immediately correcting the behavior. This kind of curiosity supports emotional insight and helps open up conversations. In Vibe & Thrive: Social Skills for Success (formerly Social Skills) group, we often use reflective listening and simple sentence starters like “I feel... when...” to support this process.
Reset expectations — for both of you
Transitions take practice. When we shift our inner script from “You should know better” to “You’re still learning,” we help kids stay engaged in the process of growth. One way we frame this in Mighty Minds is by inviting kids to be a kind coach to themselves, not an unkind one. Self-talk matters, especially after a hard day.
Warmly,
The Practice San Francisco Team
P.S. If you’d like to explore this topic a little more, we’ve gathered a few relevant reads on emotional regulation, school transitions, and friendship dynamics:
☀️ Building Social and Emotional Strength This Summer ☀️
As we move through spring and look toward summer, many families begin thinking about what kind of structure and support will help their child feel more grounded, especially after a year full of emotional ups and downs, changing routines, and social shifts.
If that sounds like something you’ve been thinking about, our one-week, therapist-led summer groups in San Francisco and Mill Valley may be a great fit. With daily sessions during the day, your child can practice calming strategies, build social confidence, and strengthen tools they’ll carry with them well beyond summer — in school, friendships, and everyday challenges.
Explore our Summer 2025 Groups:
Mighty Minds
5-Day Clinical Group
(For rising K-5th graders)
San Francisco (SF) & Mill Valley (MV)
9:30-11am
K-2nd Grade:
MV: Mon-Fri | June 16-20
SF: Mon-Fri | August 4-8
3th-5th Grade:
SF: Mon-Fri | June 16-20
MV: Mon-Fri | August 4-8
Mighty Minds utilizes evidence-based cognitive behavioral strategies that support kids’ ability to regulate their emotions. We teach how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and practice mindfully paying attention to what is going on in their bodies and minds, noticing and labeling emotions as they occur.
VIBE & THRIVE: SOCIAL SKILLS FOR SUCCESS
5-Day Clinical Group
(formerly known Navigating Social Dynamics)
(For rising 6th-8th graders)
Mill Valley
Mon-Fri | August 11-15
1:00 - 2:30 pm
In this series, participants acquire strategies to create and uphold healthy boundaries, manage stress and anxiety while navigating social situations, maintain healthy relationships, improve well-being, build resilience, and boost self-esteem.
