Kids Get Squirrely

On: Education and End of Year

Let’s be honest, anyone who works in a school or has school aged children under the age of 18 knows that the end of the year makes kids “squirrely.” I’m not sure how else to really describe it. Their emotions, hormones, and anxiety are usually through the roof, and they don’t know whether they are coming or going. Most of the time….us adults don’t really know either.

Here’s how I see it (from my “standpoint”). First, you have the emotions…Now, you’d think that the only emotion for a kid at the end of the school year would be ecstatic, but that is just one of them. They, of course, are excited to be done with school “work,” and look forward to playing outside with their friends, and doing all the fun stuff that summer brings. However, the security of school, with a daily routine, regular meals and guaranteed time with peers is no longer in place. That can actually be a scary time for some kids, especially those who may not have the family structure in place where an adult is home during the day, or they live in a more remote location and can’t just ride their bike to a friend’s house. These kids know that they will be isolated more than not and that does not elicit positive emotions. Perhaps their parents love to travel, and now they are not going to be in town for some of the big social events or gatherings that all of their friends will be at because they are elsewhere. They don’t want to miss out! 

Hormones…yup- they all have them because they are growing up. When I was teaching 5th & 6th grade students, I got a double whammy! By the end of the fifth-grade year, they started to realize they would be the big kids in the school and in my class. So, between their new growth spurts and everything else, their attitudes began to change to a more arrogant one. Can you believe that? Meanwhile, the sixth graders are going through puberty. Oh and do they love talking and learning about that in school…NOT! So, then you have attitudes, mood swings, stinky armpits, etc. Good times. And this doesn’t just happen at the elementary level, because kids are growing until well into high school. Lucky for us teachers.

Then there is the anxiety that creeps in throughout the second half of the year and by the time May comes around, it is palpable. After all, moving to a new class is one thing and is worrisome, but having to move to a new school is next level. For some of them, they are leaving the only school they have ever known or have been in for many years. They may or may not be moving on to the same school as their classmates and fear they will never see their friends again. Their parents keep talking about what comes next whether it be the next grade, new teachers, new school, graduation, etc. Although not done on purpose, the parents start to project a little bit of their own anxiety, excitement and stress onto the kids. It’s just part of the process of change and it is inevitable at times. 

What I am trying to say is that kids really do get squirrely, and you might as well just expect it. Make sure you allow for a change in venue or schedule to accommodate those days when the kids just can’t focus or remain in a seat all day. Leave room for that flexibility, because you are going to need it if you want to stay calm yourself and not get dragged into the emotional chaos in which you now reside. Add in some calming, hands-on activities that allow for kids to have conversations while they work. This will also allow you to move around listening to, and having spontaneous conversations with those who could use a little support but won’t ask for it otherwise. On the other hand, you could also put on music and allow for a dance party or sing along. My students always loved when I put on Disney songs or let them choose a Pandora channel to listen to while they worked. Music is a real winner with kids, and I found it to be a critical component of keeping my kids either calm or in a good mood. So, there you have it, my two cents on the end of the year.