How to Help Kids Cope With End-of-Year Emotions (Without Overwhelm)
The end of the year can feel huge… even for little people
As parents, we often expect the end of the school term to feel exciting. But for many children from preschool through to teens, it can stir up a whole mix of emotions: anxiety, fatigue, sadness, fear, frustration and even anger.
They’ve been learning, growing, socialising and managing pressure all year, and by Term 4, their brains and bodies are tired. Add in end of year concerts, classroom changes, exams, and Christmas buzz, and it’s no wonder emotions bubble over.
Understanding this time through a child development lens and meeting it with empathy, can make all the difference.
Why emotions feel bigger at the end of the school year
From a developmental psychology perspective, kids are still learning emotional regulation. Their ability to cope with stress and fatigue depends on their temperament, sleep, and their sense of safety with parents and caregivers. As parent educator and obstetric social worker, Genevieve Muir says, “All behaviour is communication. When our kids are acting out, they are in an unregulated state and need our help to stop.”
By the end of term, children may show emotional dysregulation through clinginess, tears, tantrums or even defiance. These aren’t signs of “naughtiness” – they’re stress signals.
Australian data supports this: the Australian Psychological Society reports that almost one in seven children aged 4–11 experience a mental health disorder, with anxiety (6.9%) being the most common. (APS)
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1. Name it to tame it: helping kids identify feelings
Children need language to express feelings. Whether they’re in kindergarten or Year 6, helping them name emotions strengthens emotional intelligence.
Try saying:
“You seem worried about what class you’ll be in next year.”
“You look frustrated. Is it because you’re tired or something didn’t go as planned?”
Naming emotions helps regulate the brain’s stress response. For little ones, try books or emotion cards that show facial expressions. For older kids or teens, ask how their body feels when they’re angry or anxious. Do they have sweaty palms, racing heart, butterflies in their stomach? This builds awareness of how emotion and body language connect.
2. Create calm routines (even when schedules go wild)
The end of term often means extra activities, late nights, concerts, sports days. But keeping a few steady anchors helps children feel safe. That after-school meltdown or sudden tears? It’s a release. They finally feel safe enough to let their emotions out. As Gen Muir says, Sometimes they have held this in all day long… when they see us, their safe base, they may ‘fall apart’. As hard as it is for us, it’s a compliment.”
Here are some practical steps you can use to support them when this happens:
- Keep bedtimes consistent. Sleep supports brain and mood regulation.
- Offer downtime each day such as quiet play, reading or outdoor activity.
- Practice relaxation strategies together including deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation or gentle stretching.
- Balance screen time with physical activity to burn off stress energy.
3. Model emotional regulation (you’re their role model)
Children learn coping strategies by observing adults. When you manage stress with calm communication and empathy, you’re teaching emotional regulation in real time.
If you’re feeling burnt out, narrate it calmly:
“I’m feeling overwhelmed, so I’m going to take a few deep breaths before we keep talking.”
It shows your child that even adults feel pressure, and that managing it is a skill, not a flaw.
When adults demonstrate self-awareness and positive psychology, children mirror it. Calm parents equal calmer kids.
4. Empathy before correction
When kids act out by slamming doors, shouting, or crying, connection works faster than correction.
Validate before guiding:
“I can see you’re angry that it’s the last day of school. It’s hard to say goodbye.”
Empathy triggers a sense of safety in the brain, helping children move from fight-or-flight back to connection and learning.
5. Encourage healthy outlets for stress
Emotions are energy, and they need somewhere to go. Why not try one of these options to get the energy out.
- Exercise – movement helps regulate heart rate and releases tension.
- Creative outlets – drawing, storytelling, or music help express emotion safely.
- Mind-body practices – mindful breathing, yoga, or outdoor play can ground attention in the body.
- Journaling or gratitude lists – support emotional literacy and resilience.
Physical activity and time outdoors improve mood, sleep, and overall wellbeing. These are small daily choices that strengthen emotional regulation.
6. Support friendships and transitions
The end of the year often means change with friends moving, teachers shifting, and new environments. You can help your child to feel confident in uncertainty by trying these steps:
- Creating goodbye cards or emails to friends moving away.
- Celebrating achievements (“You’ve worked so hard this term!”).
- Talking about what’s exciting about next year.
Building confidence through small positive experiences shapes how kids approach new challenges. It reinforces the mindset that they can handle change.
7. Care for your own mental health, too
Your wellbeing shapes your child’s. When adults prioritise rest, connection and support, children internalise that model.
Signs you might be carrying too much: irritability, fatigue, trouble sleeping, or feeling disconnected.
These are signals to pause, not push.
- Simplify your to-do list, and try using tools like ChatGPT to manage your tasks
- Make sure you rest before you hit burnout.
- Reach out to a friend, GP, or mental health professional.
A calm caregiver creates a safe emotional space…a concept backed by developmental psychology and attachment research. As they say, you have to put on your oxygen mask so you have the ability to help others in your family.
8. When to seek extra support
If your child’s worry, sadness or anger feels ongoing, or begins impacting their sleep, learning, or relationships, it’s worth speaking with your GP or school wellbeing team.
A mental health professional can help identify anxiety disorders, emotional dysregulation or attention challenges early, and build a plan for support. These professionals give children tools to identify, express and manage their emotions. It’s not about “fixing” behaviour but building skills for lifelong wellbeing.
Wrapping Up
End-of-year emotions are completely normal. They reflect growth, awareness, and the intensity of young minds navigating big transitions.
With empathy, structure and understanding, we can guide our children through the fatigue, frustration and worry… helping them feel secure, capable, and calm as they step into a new year.
Quick FAQ
Q: Why do children get emotional at the end of the school year?
A: Fatigue, social pressure, uncertainty and transition trigger emotional stress. Consistency, empathy and rest help them regulate.
Q: How can parents help with emotional regulation?
A: Keep routines predictable, prioritise sleep, model calm communication, and create space for downtime and physical activity.
Q: When should I seek extra help?
A: If your child’s distress impacts sleep, learning or friendships, talk to your GP or a child psychologist for tailored strategies.
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