It is exciting to see your kid off to school. However, the excitement will fizzle out once you realize that you did not pack one of the most important items for school or personal use. Some of the items will easily be forgotten even when you develop a routine. You can pay someone to do your assignment or that of your child to avoid excessive fatigue that could cause you to forget important daily duties.
Each child is unique. You will also be expected to pack different items each day based on the activities entered on the timetable. Here is a list of the items to pack in your child’s bag when sending her to school.
1. Class Requirements
It makes sense to include class supplies because you are sending the child to class. They include pencils, books, rulers, and essential tools for classwork. You must stick to the basics to avoid over-packing.
Watch the timetable to see the exact items needed for each day. Remove the books and gadgets that the kid does not require for the day to avoid sending your child with a bulky bag. For instance, if the timetable does not feature a drawing class, you can remove the crayons.
Pack each item in moderation. For instance, it makes no sense to pack several books on the same subject. Only pack up to two pens and pencils. Remember that the presence of too many pencils could cause the child to be careless since he knows there is another pen in the bag. It also adds excess weight that will weigh on the shoulders of the child. Too much weight will affect the shape of the bag, tearing it down within a short time.
Each school prepares an official academic supplies list. Use the list when packing to avoid leaving out any item. In case you have an alternative or decide to add more supplies, inform the child to avoid confusion. You may also add a note to help the caretaker understand your action. Once the essential academic supplies are in place, you can focus on personal items.
2. Lunch Box
It is traumatizing for a parent to realize that the child went to school without food. The thought of it is enough to get you off work and flying to school. Never forget the lunch box when packing your child’s bag.
The lunch box should be easy and convenient to carry. Choose a box of a reasonable size to accommodate meal needs for your child. At a young age, children are overly energetic. As such, they need enough food to last them the day.
The lunchbox should keep the food in perfect condition until lunch hour. For instance, some of the food needs to remain warm while another serving may need to be cool. If you are serving different portions, they should not mix to maintain the integrity and taste of the food.
Schools offer warming facilities. Choose a box that can be used to warm the food over the oven or microwave without damage. The lunch box must also be secure enough to avoid spilling the food.
3. Water Bottle
Every child needs a decent intake of water every day. Their active nature means that they lose a lot of water through sweating. Further, water is healthy for the digestion and development of supple muscles. Ensure that your kid has enough water to last the day.
It might not be possible to provide all the water the child will require throughout the day. This is because the child will need to wash his hands several times and clean a few items along the way. However, at least ensure that your child has enough and safe drinking water.
Choose a bottle size that resonates with the needs and size of the child. A big bottle will be too heavy, leaving you with a bulky bag for a kid. Since the child can access water around school, it is advisable to choose a conveniently sized bottle for the child.
4. Weather Gear
Beyond school uniform, your child requires attire that will shield him or her from the weather. It includes a jacket, sweater, umbrella, boots, gloves, scarf, and socks, among others. These clothes protect the child in case the weather changes abruptly.
A t-shirt and raincoat should be used alternately. In case the weather is hot, always pack a raincoat or warm jacket in the bag. When the weather is cold and you have put a jacket on, add a t-shirt in case the weather changes midway through the day.
Shoes are especially important when you are thinking about the weather. The child may leave the house on a cold morning with boots. However, when the sun is out, your child will want to play outdoors. Include a pair of sporting shoes in the bag in case your child wants to enjoy a game in the our-doors.
5. Something Fun
Children love to collect interesting things. They want something to play with throughout the day or on the way to school. Add a toy that is not related to academic work. You may allow the kid to choose the item so that it motivates the child to always go to school.
A child’s bag needs a lot of thought and attention. Too many items will make the bag bulky. However, when it is too small, the child could lack some of the essential items needed for classwork. Prepare a checklist and create a routine to help you avoid missing crucial items during packing.