Children like routine. They feel safe when things are predictable. That’s commonly understood when we talk about neurodiverse children, but it’s true for most kids. The world is full of confusing things they can’t control—like why broccoli exists or why you can’t just wear pyjamas to Tesco. Routines give them a sense of stability and understanding.
Once the school year kicks in, school becomes a place of order: set times, timetables, consistent rules and routines. It might look boring from the outside, but that structure is what makes learning (and all the fun stuff) possible. In the best schools, routines are like invisible scaffolding—they quietly hold everything up so creativity and fun can thrive safely.
Now, fast forward to the last few weeks of term. What happens? Timetables change – or go out the window altogether. In their place: concerts, sports days, talent shows, park trips, assemblies, school discos, ice cream vans, parents turning up en masse. Every day brings something new, unpredictable, and usually loud.
Yes, these events are fun. But from a child’s perspective, they’re also mentally and physically exhausting. So many of these special events bring a whole heap of sensory challenges – the weather may be hot, the hall will be crowded, parents will clap and cheer. Imagine the sensory overload that 200 children and their adults squashed into a stuffy assembly hall singing “One more step along the world I go” can create!
Then there’s the looming change ahead.
The end of term isn’t just about the last few weeks—it’s the cliff edge before a whole new chapter. A new teacher, a new classroom, maybe a new school. Friends shifting. Uniforms changing. That’s a lot for a little brain to process. (Frankly, it’s a lot for the teachers too.)
So, when your kids come home exhausted this week (in Scotland, or whenever your term ends elsewhere) give them a break – and give them a hug. Their world has been turned upside down, and they may need a few days to decompress before they are ready to enjoy the summer break.
If you’d like some support navigating the end-of-term chaos or planning for a more peaceful summer, get in touch for Parent Coaching with Caladh Coaching. We’re here to help you and your child find calm in the madness.