Saying Goodbye: Helping Children with End-of-Year Transitions

The end of the school year brings a swirl of emotions—joy, excitement, nervousness, and sometimes sadness. For young children, especially those in preschool or early elementary grades, this transition can feel like a big deal. They’ve spent months building relationships, routines, and confidence in a familiar environment. Now, it’s time to say goodbye.

Here’s how you can help your child navigate this important transition with emotional support, reflection, and a sense of celebration.

1. Acknowledge the Feelings

Young children often have big emotions and small vocabularies to express them. As the school year wraps up, you might notice your child acting more sensitive, clingy, or even withdrawn. This is normal.

What helps: Use simple language to talk about feelings. Say things like,“It’s okay to feel sad about leaving your friends,” or “You’re feeling a little nervous about what’s next, and that makes sense.”

Let them know it’s safe to feel whatever they’re feeling.

2. Celebrate Growth

Transitions are a great time to reflect on how far your child has come. Talk about new things they’ve learned, challenges they’ve overcome, and friendships they’ve made.

Try this: Create a mini “Year in Review” book or poster with photos, drawings, or memories from the school year. Let your child help tell their story.

Bonus: You’ll cherish it too!

3. Create Meaningful Goodbyes

Whether it's a favorite teacher, friend, or classroom routine, children need closure. Help your child say goodbye in a way that feels personal and positive.

Ideas include:

• Making thank-you cards for teachers or friends

• Drawing pictures or writing notes to classmates

• Taking a last-day photo with their teacher or class

Saying goodbye is a life skill—and learning to do it well sets the stage for healthy transitions in the future.

4. Talk About What’s Next

The unknown can feel scary. Reassure your child by giving them a sense of what’s coming after summer or in the next school year.

What helps: Visit their new classroom or school if possible. Read books about starting a new grade or making new friends. Keep the tone hopeful and positive, but honest.

For example: "Kindergarten will be different, but you’ll still have fun, make friends, and learn so many new things!"

5. Keep a Sense of Connection

If your child is particularly attached to a classmate or teacher, help them feel connected even after school ends.

Ideas:

• Set up a summer playdate

• Help your child write a letter or draw a picture to mail to a friend or teacher

• Make a memory box with keepsakes from the school year

These small actions help children feel that just because something is ending, the memories and relationships don’t disappear.

Final Thoughts

Transitions are part of growing up, but they can be emotional for young children—and for parents too. By acknowledging feelings, celebrating growth, and offering gentle support, you help your child not just say goodbye, but also feel ready for what’s next.

Endings can be tender. But they’re also beautiful beginnings in disguise.