Top 10 Must-Have School Supplies For A Successful Year

Preparing for a brand new school year for your child can be quite daunting. Fret not!

It can be a fun bonding activity for you and your child as you get busy putting the basics together.

One of the easiest ways to get the ball rolling is to prepare a comprehensive checklist. This helps you be efficient, and fast, and prevents you from overlooking or forgetting any item/task. 

A complete checklist of school supplies must include educational supplies, educational equipment supplies, classroom supplies, classroom accessories, classroom items, homework folders, and art and craft supplies.

 

The importance of being prepared on your first day of school

Whether it’s a child’s first day in school or their first day back in school after the holidays, it is always a nerve-wracking day for any child. 

They are leaving the comfort of their homes and families, and relaxing days at home, to head into school, structure,  discipline, peers, teachers, and study. Having all their school supplies in order gives them confidence and agency to make that first day and the ones to follow a grand success!

Checklist for must-have school supplies

There are some non-negotiables, while considering school supplies, for every child heading into their alma mater.

• Backpack

A cool and trendy backpack is an essential. Ensure that you are choosing a backpack that is well padded, and has wide shoulder straps. It should be lightweight, but solid.

• Notebooks

Notebooks are an important classroom supply. Ensure your child has enough of them, adhering to the specifications that their school and teachers have recommended. Durability is a key factor here.

 

• Pens and pencils

Pencils are also crucial educational equipment supplies. Get your child regular ones and coloured ones, along with sharpeners and erasers.

• Planners and organisers- 

These are important classroom items to have. Children are often prone to procrastination and have short attention spans.

Organisers and planners help them increase their productivity, manage their time better, while also keeping a tab on tasks they need to complete.

• Lunchbox

Lunch hour is the time children most look forward to during school hours. It’s usually when every young child makes their first real friends.

Lunchtime at school is their first introduction to socialising, independent of their family.

So, a lunchbox is one of the most important school supplies for any young child. A sturdy lunchbox with good insulation will serve well!

• Water bottle

Hydration is key! Water bottles are right up there on the top of any list of necessary school supplies. Make sure you get one that doesn’t have any harmful toxins. Glass or stainless steel is usually the way to go! Try buying one that has fun detailing, so your child is tempted to sip on water throughout the day.

• Art supplies

Art supplies are mandatory classroom supplies for any young child. Child friendly scissors, glue, acrylic paints, coloured pencils, markers, and crayons are a must! 

No mess and air dry clay that can be used for art activities, is also a great option. Encourage your child to think out of the box!

Skillmatics UK is currently offering a free set of “Colour with Clay”, if you buy two products on Amazon UK.

• Folders

Folders are essential classroom supplies that help your child keep track of their assignments, tasks, and notes. Make sure you get them in bright colours that will keep your child engaged and interested in schoolwork!

• Personal hygiene kit 

This is perhaps the most overlooked, but one of the most important components of back-to-school supplies. Put together a hygiene kit for your child that includes hand sanitizers, band-aids, microfiber cleaning towels, disinfectant wipes, toilet paper, hand soap, bar soap, antibacterial ointment, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.

• First-aid kit

This kit is another indispensable item when you’re considering back-to-school supplies. Ensure that it contains a thermometer, bandaids, gauze, adhesive medical tape, ice pack, tweezers, calamine lotion, scissors, antibiotic ointment, bandages, and sanitizers.

How to choose the right educational supplies for your child?

The first step to ensuring your child has a successful academic year is making sure they have all the correct educational supplies.

The last thing you want is for your child to be that ONE lost child in the classroom who doesn’t have that essential item in their kitbag that everyone else does, and is left scrambling while trying to borrow or find other ways to complete the task given.

Not having all the classroom supplies needed, can lower a child’s self-esteem and leave them feeling less than their peers.

This might result in them developing a dislike or anxiety towards school and academics.

To ensure this does not happen you need to make comprehensive lists, such as ones mentioned above, so your child is confident and well-equipped to take on the school year and all its academic and extracurricular activities.

School can often be an intimidating environment for some children. After all, it’s their first time away from home and having to survive without constant physical and emotional support from their families. 

You can make sure that at the very least, they have everything they need, to take on this brand-new territory which includes peers, teachers, and constant evaluations.

Some considerations you must take into account while selecting the right educational supplies for your child include:

1. Quality: Although there might be cheaper materials available, compromising on the quality of your child’s school supplies is foolish. Cheaper and low-quality items may break or get damaged easily and will have to be replaced sooner.
   
   

It makes better sense to invest in quality items, so you don’t need to bother, after the first purchase. Do your research well, and you will manage to find a balance between price and quality.

1. Age: Your child’s age is a huge factor when you are picking out school supplies. Older children tend to need more notebooks, folders and pens, while younger children usually require creative supplies such as arts and crafts items, and cheerful classroom accessories.
   
   

Conclusion

Yes, the checklist for school supplies is motley and eclectic, depending on what age your school-going children are. However, with proper attention to detail and a well-organised to-do list, it can be fun putting things together for your child’s next school year.

Brownie points for getting them involved in all the action! It encourages independence while also doubling as a fun bonding activity. And, talking about bonding activity, you can always browse through the amazing range of learning-through-play games and activities to enrich your child’s play time routine. 

 

FAQs

1. What are the most important school supplies for elementary school students?
   

Enough pencils, sharpeners, crayons, erasers, coloured pencils, notebooks and papers are must-haves for every elementary school student.

1. How do I ensure my child stays organised throughout the school year?
   

A set daily routine, organisers and planners, and a study space go a long way in ensuring your child has an organised and successful academic year.

1. What are back-to-school supplies for a preschooler?
   

Pencils, markers, crayons, erasers, scissors, glue, a cute backpack, a lunch box and a water bottle are some essentials for preschoolers.

1. What role can parents play in preparing their children mentally for their first day?
   

The first day of school is equally challenging for both you and your young child. After all, it’s their first time out in the world alone. If possible, explore the school and its grounds together, before the first day and encourage them to make friends wherever they can. This will encourage familiarity and will help them ease into this new phase of their life.