Not Every Child Loves Summer Break

As the days get longer and the school year draws to a close, there's an energy that fills the virtual and physical classroom alike. Excitement bubbles up—vacation plans, popsicles, pool days, and staying up past bedtime. For teachers, it's the light at the end of a very long tunnel. Summer break is a much-needed pause, a chance to recharge, reflect, and restore.

But not every student shares that excitement. And that's something we need to talk about.

We often assume all children are eagerly counting down the days, but many students begin to act out as summer approaches. For some, this change in behavior isn't defiance—it's anxiety. The end of the school year marks the beginning of uncertainty: no set schedule, no predictable meals, no consistent adult checking in with a warm "Good morning" or noticing when something's not quite right. While we, as educators, might be dreaming of quiet coffee mornings and leisurely walks, some of our students are silently dreading what comes next.

Annie the Porcupine celebrates summer the way many kids do: road trips, sprinklers, bike rides to the park, and backyard adventures. For her, summer means bonding and belly laughs. But I know—and Annie would understand—that not every child has a safe or joyful summer waiting for them.

For many, school is more than academics. It's the steady rhythm of safety, meals, connection, and care. It's the place where someone sees them, listens to them, and believes in them—every single day. Without it, some students feel lost. So it's no wonder we see changes in behavior as summer looms. Acting out can be a cry for attention, for reassurance, for structure.

That's why this time of year calls for extra empathy. We don't need to fix their summer, but we can acknowledge their feelings. We can let them know they matter, even when school's out. A few kind words, extra check-ins, or assigning a fun "stay-in-touch" project can go a long way.

And let's be honest, teachers need the break too. Deeply. Emotionally. Physically. We carry so much throughout the year, and self-care isn't optional. It's essential. When we care for ourselves, we're better able to return in the fall as our full, compassionate selves.

So as we pack up our classrooms and log out of our final live lessons, let's hold space for all the mixed feelings summer brings, for students and for us. Joy. Relief. Worry. Hope. It's all valid. And it's all part of the journey.