Foundations Program
Despite what you may have heard, the kids are not alright. A mental health crisis is already impacting our children and getting worse. Studies by The Black Dog Institute and Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne show that in just two years we’ve seen an increase from one in seven Australian primary school aged kids experiencing mental health challenges, to now one in six experiencing symptoms of anxiety, and even worse, one in four experiencing symptoms of depression. Equally worrying is that Australia’s National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy says that half of the mental health issues experienced by adults started before age 14.
The Foundations Program builds emotional strength and social confidence for growing minds, with simple tools kids actually use. And we provide support resources for the parents so that the language and strategies taught are shared at home.
Why Every School Term Feels Different for Your Child
The school year has a predictable emotional rhythm, and children feel every part of it.
Here’s what most parents see, even if they’ve never named it before.
TERM 1: Everything Feels New
New teacher. New classroom. New expectations. New friends. Even confident kids wobble here.
You might notice:
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After-school meltdowns
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Clinginess returning
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Big emotions over small things
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Friendship uncertainty
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Tired, overwhelmed afternoons
It's a natural human instinct to be uncomfortable (consciously or not) with change. In Term 1, we see the cost of adjusting to a brand-new world.
TERM 2: The Pressure Builds
The honeymoon ends. Reality sets in. Kids start feeling the weight of schoolwork, friendships and comparison.
Common signs:
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“I can’t do this” self-talk
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Homework battles
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Social drama
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More frustration and tears
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Motivation dipping
This is when many parents quietly worry that something is “off.”
TERM 3: The Exhaustion Term
The longest term meets winter…and resilience drops.
You’ll often see:
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Short fuses
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Emotional “regression”
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More school reluctance
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Friendship fallouts
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Tiredness that affects everything
Kids simply run out of steam, and it shows at home first - the place where they feel the most comfortable to be their whole self (emotional meltdowns and all!).
TERM 4: Overwhelm + Transition Worries
Fun events start cropping up everywhere, but also big anxiety about next year.
You might notice:
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Behaviour swings
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Overstimulation
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Teariness
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Worry about new classes and friendships
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A “done” feeling weeks before school ends
It’s excitement on the surface…and fear of change underneath.
If you're nodding...you're exactly who this program is for
These patterns are not your fault.
They're not your child's fault.
They're not the school's fault.
They're simply part of the process of growing up.
Once you see the rhythm, you can support your child before the struggles get too heavy.
That's why the Sapling Minds Foundation Program follows the actual emotional cycle children move through.
Join one term, or support your child across the whole year
Enrol for the term you know will be tough, or support your child through the entire four-term cycle at a discounted rate.
Your child doesn’t have to struggle through another school year alone.
Take the First Step
If you’ve read this far and thought, “This is my child”, you’re in the right place.
This form is a gentle first step. It doesn’t lock you into anything. It simply lets Sapling Minds learn a little about your child and the term(s) you’re concerned about, so we can explore what support actually fits.