As a parent we want our children to be happy, successful and fit in well with other children. We want them to have the best of everything, but we can’t always do that. After years and years of buying school supplies for my children I believe that I can help others to get their children ready. These are the top ten back to school supply items that I believe every elementary school-aged child needs.
1. Backpack. Every child needs a reliable backpack. Make sure it is large enough to hold all your child’s school supplies, but not to big or heavy for your child to handle. Backpacks with several compartments are great. You can have a separate place for lunch money, homework, house keys, snacks and much more. We love LLBean backpacks, because they come in a variety of sizes. They are customizable, very durable and if they break or wear out LLBean will generally fix or replace it. They are great.
2. Lunchbox. If you intend on sending your child’s lunch to school with him, then you should invest in a good lunchbox.
Many of them are insulated which helps to keep the food cool and fresh. They also help keep the food from being crushed in transport and in the school cubby.
3. Binder. Binders are super for transporting homework and notes back and forth to school safely. They come with hard or flexible covers and vary in thickness. Some binders have paces to put lined paper. Others have pockets and dividers for separating assignments. It also gives them something to doodle on and adhere stickers to without ruining their school books. They are a wise investment.
4. Pencil Case. Every Child need a place to store his back to school supplies. Put your child’s name on it and load it with supplies. Pencils, glue sticks, scissors, markers, crayons, colored pencils and anything else the teacher says your child may need. When it’s time to do work you don’t want your child having to borrow supplies from a classmate.
5. Sweatshirt. A comfortable, washable sweatshirt is a great addition to your elementary school child’s wardrobe. The Fall weather is unpredictable and it is a good idea to dress your child in layers. This way your child doesn’t need to be shivering or sweltering. he can adjust to his environment.
6. Shoes, sneakers and boots. This seems like common sense right. You’re not going to send your child to school barefoot, but many parents don’t realize how important a child’s shoes are. Your child should have well-fitting, durable shoes or sneakers that provide support and stability for your child’s feet. They should be suitable for recess and gym class as well as comfortable enough to leave on for eight to ten hours. Fashionable flip-flops and dressy heels are just not practical for the elementary school child.
7. Raincoat and boots. Walking to school in the rain can be horrible if your child is not dressed properly. Make sure they have a waterproof coat and footwear, so they are not sitting around in school wet and miserable all day.
8. Reusable water bottle. Over the years we’ve learned that keeping our bodies well-hydrated is important. This also goes for our children. you don’t want your child putting his mouth on the same water bubbler as hundreds of other children do. Send him with a refillable water that is clearly labeled to prevent passing germs and colds.
9. Watch. My children always like to know what time it is or how much time they have. I make sure they have a watch with them so they don’t have bother others for the time. It also helps them get used to following a schedule and they are able to keep track of their day.
10. Calculator. A calculator is a great tool for your child to check his work with. Most teachers allow it for correcting homework and checking answers, but it’s a good idea to check with your child’s teachers first.
When shopping for school supplies look for sales, cut coupons and look for sturdy items made of durable material. Elementary school children tend to be rough on their school supplies, so look for things that will last and buy easily lost items cheaply or in bulk. I always have extra pencils, erasers, crayons, markers and so on around the house for homework, projects and replacements.
