As we make our way through this unusual school year, it’s important to keep an eye on CDC regulations. This year, it’s all about optimizing learning while staying focused on health.
Students who are back in a classroom setting will need a few extra back to school supplies than usual. Even at-home virtual learners can benefit from amping up their traditional supply stock and the tools to keep them healthy!
What should your back to school supply list look like this year?
Read on for the 9 most essential things every student will need to hit the books and remain virus-free.
1. Pens, Pencils, and Other Basics
Some of the supplies on our list are necessary every year, but it’s important to remember that this year, buying extra is the way to go. Why?
If your child is learning in a classroom, you’re going to want to make sure they have their own stock of supplies to rely on. Teachers may not lend supplies out to students as a way to cut down on the spread of germs. Having plenty of pens, pencils, glue sticks, markers, and other necessary supplies will ensure that your child will have everything they need without having to rely on others in the classroom.
2. Personalized Pencil Case
To keep track of all those supplies, we recommend getting a personalized pencil case. Send your kids to school with two to three pencils and two to three pens and remind them to put them back in their pencil case when they’re done using them. When they come home, you can check their pencil case to see what’s gone missing and what needs to be restocked!
3. Binders and Loose Leaf Paper
Normally, going back to school is all about stocking up on notebooks. However, it might be easier for your child to stick with binders and loose leaf paper this year, in case any assignments or notes need to be converted to a digital file.
Plus, binders are a great way to keep track of all of those handouts that both in-person and virtual learners will be relying on this year.
4. Tablet or Laptop
Nowadays, students and teachers are relying more and more on technology during the school day. This is, of course, especially true for all of our virtual learners!
Of course, you don’t need to get younger students a tablet or laptop that belongs exclusively to them. However, it is important to make sure that you have a tablet or laptop that your child can access as needed. If you’re concerned about how they spend their screentime, look for tablets and laptops designed for young learners that have restrictions built in.
5. Academic Year Planner
No matter what grade your child is in, it’s useful to teach them organization skills and time management. Using an academic planner to keep track of assignments, upcoming tests, and important due dates is a great place to incorporate those lessons into the school year.
Older students can handle their academic planner on their own, but younger students might need some help. Look through any planning materials provided by the teacher and help your child record important dates in their planner. Together, you can go over their planner each day to make sure that they’re on track for success.
6. Tissues
Whether your child is learning from home or in class, tissues are a must. It is always important that we sneeze or cough into a tissue and throw it away, and that lesson is especially important right now.
Provide your child with packets of tissues they can keep at their desk or in their backpack. Make sure that you practice sneezing and coughing into tissues all the time, even at home. Remind them to always throw their tissue away and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer every time.
7. Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is hard to come by these days but it’s important that everyone grab a bottle before heading to school. Remember, hand sanitizers should be made of at least 70% alcohol to be effective against germs and bacteria.
To make your life a little easier, we’ve done our research and tracked down the best hand sanitizer for kids heading back to school!
8. Masks
Masks are a must right now and finding one that fits is important. Ideally, you’ll want to find masks designed for children so that there won’t be any gaps or excess fabric. Reusable masks are the best choice as long as you continue to wash them on a regular basis–stock up so that your child can always bring two to three clean masks to school!
9. Tools to Keep Hands Out of Faces
It’s not always easy to explain to children that they shouldn’t touch their faces when colds and viruses are going around. Providing them with a couple tools to keep their hands out of their face is the way to go.
For kiddos with long hair, consider keeping it pinned back and out of their face with hair ties, bandanas, clips, or headbands. The less they have to brush stray hairs out of their face, the better.
For kids of all ages, consider investing in a few “fidget” gadgets. Popular ones include fidget spinners and fidget cubes. This will keep their hands occupied even when they’re focused on the teacher.
Stock Up on Back to School Supplies for an Unusual Year
As we make our way through the school year, we’re finding all sorts of unprecedented milestones to meet. With these back to school supplies, your little learner will be ready to grow their knowledge and stay healthy.
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