Back to School Supplies

"Please Mom; please can I have that giant box of crayons and the smelly markers?" This plea, recently overheard at a local store, got me thinking about the items that a new Kindergarten or First Grade student really needs...and it’s not the huge box of crayons and smelly markers!

Many teachers send home a list of school supplies before the first day of school. If you have not received such a list, my best advice to parents is to keep school supplies simple.

I suggest this basic list because fewer items make it easier for your child to be organized, and simple supplies cause less distractions when being used.

All a Kindergarten or First Grade student needs is:

• Three sharpened pencils with erasers
• A small container of glue or two glue sticks
• A pair of child’s scissors
• A small box of crayons, containing no more than 16 crayons (Too many color variations confuse young children)
• A pencil box to keep supplies organized and handy
• A two-pocket folder for school notes and homework

Additional helpful items are:

• A lunchbox
• A box of tissues for the classroom
• A backpack that is not too heavy or oversized for your child
• Don’t forget to put your child’s name on their possessions. It’s amazing how often children forget what belongs to them!

If your child just has to have that big box of crayons and smelly markers...keep them at home for his or her own, special "art" center.