We recently talked about the importance of preparing children for a new school year routine. While that information will help children learn what to expect from child care or preschool, you will still need to do a little back-to-school shopping in order to be fully prepared! You can use this back-to-school checklist to make sure your child has everything he or she will need to have a fun, productive, and enriching school year:
- Backpacks and lunchboxes. Using a backpack helps children carry all of their school supplies while keeping their hands free for hugs to parents and waves to friends! Look for a backpack that can hold all of your child’s supplies without being too large or heavy. Next, look for a lunchbox that will be able to store healthy and tasty treats throughout the day. You can choose from a variety of styles, including matching backpack and lunchbox sets.
- Pencil boxes. Your child will participate in a number of different activities during school, including those that require writing, drawing, doodling, and coloring. Help prepare him or her for these activities by investing in a sturdy and durable pencil box. This handy tool can easily be stored in your child’s backpack and pulled out when it is time to start drawing or coloring! Make sure your child’s pencil box is filled with everything he or she will need to have fun and participate in lessons during the year, including pencils, colored pencils, crayons, markers, and other writing and drawing utensils.
- Emergency kit. It is important to make sure your child also has a few items that can come in handy in case of an emergency. Create a kit that includes safety and sanitary items, such as tissues, hand wipes, and plastic bags. This emergency kit should also include extra socks, an extra pair of non-slip shoes, and a change of clothes that your child can wear if he or she should experience some type of accident during the day. You can use this checklist to make sure that your preschool or kindergarten-aged child is ready to start school!
