Spring Mental Health Tips for Local Families
Spring can be a beautiful time of year. The weather starts to warm up, and there’s a renewed sense of energy in the air. For many families it brings a welcome change after the slower, quieter rhythm of winter. But while the season can feel refreshing to adults, the transition into spring can sometimes be surprisingly challenging for kids and teens.
For many children, a new season of extracurricular activities begins, their school workload can increase as they navigate final projects and exams, and they begin to anticipate the transition to camp or other summer activities. At Positive Development Psychology, we regularly work with families navigating transitions.
Why Seasonal Transitions Can Be Hard on Kids
Children and adolescents are sensitive to changes in routine, environment, and even daylight. Spring brings more light and possibly later bedtimes. Sports and other extracurriculars restart. Schools begin preparing for end-of-year testing or planning for transitions to summer programs. For younger children, this might mean less structure. For teens, it can stir up academic stress or uncertainty about what’s next.
Some kids are energized by all of this. Others might feel unsettled, but not know how to express it. Parents may start to notice mood changes, difficulty focusing, sleep changes, or resistance around new routines. These responses are often signs that your child is adjusting to change, and may need a bit more support during this time.
What You Might Notice
Stress secondary to transitions doesn’t always come with clear signs. But here are some comments we often hear from parents during this seasonal change:
- “My child just seems more irritable lately, even when things seem to be going well.”
- “My child is having trouble falling asleep at night.”
- “My child is excited for summer, but also seems anxious anytime we talk about it.”
- “My child does well in school, but seems overwhelmed and gets stuck when it’s time to start homework and studying.”
Changes in behavior, mood, or even physical symptoms (like stomach aches or headaches) can sometimes point to underlying anxiety or difficulty coping with shifting routines.
Ways to Support Your Child Through Seasonal Change
Every child is different, but there are some simple and supportive ways you can help ease the transition from winter to spring:
1. Keep Daily Routines Steady Where You Can
While your child’s school or activity schedule might shift, maintaining consistency with meals, homework, or bedtime routines can provide a sense of stability and predictability.
2. Talk About What’s Coming Up
Children do better when they know what to expect. When you and your child are calm, try walking through what’s to come and setting expectations, especially if there are breaks from school, changes in caregivers, or new activities beginning. Allow your child to ask questions or share concerns.
3. Validate Mixed Emotions
It’s okay if your child is both excited and nervous about something. You can say things like, “Sometimes change or new experiences bring up lots of feelings—that’s normal,” or “ I understand that you’re worried about joining a new soccer team, but I know you’ll get to know your teammates and be able to handle it!”
4. Create Opportunities for Downtime
More daylight and packed calendars can be energizing—but also draining. Make sure there’s time each week for unstructured play or quiet time to help your child recharge.
5. Maintain Limits Around Screen Time
It might be tempting to allow increased screen time as the school year comes to an end. However, finding balance is key in order to allow children to experience the benefits of technology, while monitoring for the potential negative impacts of screen time, including social media use, on child development, when not used in moderation.
6. Watch for Lingering Stress
A little adjustment time is normal. However, if your child seems overwhelmed for an extended period or starts withdrawing from things they usually enjoy, it might be a good idea to check in with a professional.
When to Consider Additional Support
If you’re noticing ongoing signs of stress, anxiety, or behavioral changes in your child, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Transitions are an important part of life, but they can also be moments when children need extra help learning how to cope.
Our team at Positive Development Psychology works with children and families across different seasons of life, including times of transition. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, experiencing behavioral shifts, or just having trouble adjusting to change, we offer supportive, evidence-based care in a calm and welcoming environment. We work closely with families in the Mount Kisco area- and throughout Westchester- offering strategies that can be used to help foster progress and ease stress.
Reach out to us to learn more about how our therapy services can benefit your child or teen. We provide in-person child therapy in our Northern Westchester office. We also provide online therapy in New York and Connecticut, making participation in virtual parent sessions more convenient and accessible.