Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Schools are great about providing a necessary check list for supplies and back-to-school gear that each student will need to start up the new school year on the right foot. But what about the supplies that don't make the checklist? While parents everywhere scour the local supermarkets and carefully select the necessary calculators, pen colors and folders, there are many forgotten items that aren't required but are certainly useful for students starting the new year. Here are some back to school items that can help make the transition from summer to school year that much easier. Consider this your unofficial back to school checklist!
A water bottle or thermos. The excitement of starting a brand new school year can make it hard to remember that your student needs to be drinking plenty of water. While temperatures certainly begin to cool off in August and September, the weather will still be plenty hot, and with all the excitement, you don't want your student to overheat or get dehydrated.
Name labels that adhere to your student's personal items. Your child may have hand-picked a spider-man backpack, but remember, they selected it out of about only 15 options that were available at the store, meaning there's a chance that another student in your child's new classroom may also have that same backpack. To avoid any mixups, and to help your student easy distinguish their items, consider applying a name tag to your student's backpack. For safety, you can place this on a part of the backpack that is not easily visible to strangers, like under the strap or along the part that rests against your child's back. You can also add name labels to supplies that will be stored within the classroom, like binders, pencil cases and lunchboxes.
While it may not be a classroom item, a new school year may be an excellent time to refresh some hygiene items that may be overdue. Inspect your child's tooth brush, hair brush, soap bar, chapstick and lotion to make sure everything is still within the use-by date and is in good working order. These are the tools your student uses at the beginning and end of each day, and having fresh tools can help them feel more focused and ready to tackle anything that comes their way during school!
A planner may or may not be on the list of requirements given to you by your school, but depending on your child's age, a planner could be an excellent tool for back to school. A planner can help keep them organized and on top of school work, and with modern, personalized planners, they can even track their weekly moods, receive words of affirmation, keep track of their goals and manage their study habits.
In case of storms or bad weather, be sure to invest in an umbrella or poncho that can fit in your child's backpack. No one wants to get soaked on the way to school, and sitting in a classroom damp will make it difficult to concentrate. A name label can help ensure that your student's rain gear doesn't get lost.
Your student may be feeling nervous or excited about the upcoming school year. While many parents buy fresh clothing or shoes to help with the initial “first impression” jitters, a haircut can also be a great way to increase your child's self esteem. Because haircuts can often feel strange at first, be sure to plan your child's haircut at least a week before the first day of school, to allow them to get used to their brand new look before the big first day!
Many of your student's school supplies are likely to reach school and stay there all year long. Be sure to buy a little extra to stock your child's home study space with paper, pencils, pens, a calculator and other supplies. That way, even if they forget something at school, they'll have everything they need right there at home!
The beginning of a new school year can be an intimidating time. But with the proper supplies, and a positive attitude, a new year can be the start of endless possibilities!