As a mom of three, I am no stranger to getting kids ready to head back to school, but like with everything else, COVID-19 has added a new layer of complexity to preparing for a new school year.
This year, there are health protocols in place that are making it more important than ever to keep kids’ belongings separate and organized.
One key to a successful start to this school year will be putting a system in place that will encourage kids to be organized at home so that they don’t need to drag unnecessary stuff to school each day. Without the ability to use lockers, it’s a great idea to set up an “after-school station” (with extra school supplies) at home. This will allow kids to only take minimal supplies to school each day. For example, instead of carrying six different binders in their backpacks, older children may opt to use a single binder with dividers, and at the end of the week, the papers from each section can be moved to separate binders that are kept at home.
With multiple kids in a household, each child can have their own designated “after- school station” area at home. Dollar store supplies can be used to create a neat space that has a place for everything. Children can get in the habit of visiting their stations every day after school, replenishing supplies, and getting rid of things they don’t need in their backpacks for the following day.
A dollar store cardboard tri fold can be used to define an after-school station. Kids can decorate it with printouts, stickers, or markers. I like the idea of adding reminders like: “Did I pack a clean water bottle with my name on it?”, “Do I have any homework?”, “Did I wash my hands after school?”, “What supplies do I need to add to/take out of my backpack?”, and “Do I have a clean mask?”.
Of course, with the emphasis on keeping kids safe and not spreading germs, it has become very important for children to be prepared each day with what they need and not share supplies. Now is a good time to start thinking about what supplies your child will need each day so that they are not borrowing from others and not stuffing their backpacks so heavy that they can’t carry them. Make a list of what needs to be in the backpack every day and use the list to replenish backpack supplies each night. Don’t forget to include a labelled water bottle and non-medical mask.
I’ve long been a fan of using store-bought “stick-on” name labels on clothes, binders and water bottles, but some items, like pencils and erasers, are not as easy to label. For these items, adding “personalization” to make them look different from others may be the perfect solution. Colourful or patterned duct tape, washi tape, and stickers are fantastic for decorating school supplies. With a little DIY, school supplies can be more appealing, more personal, more identifiable, and more fun.
Going back to school this year is going to be a bit different, so it’s critical to be organized and prepared when September arrives. Setting up an after-school station, using name labels, and personalizing supplies are perfect ways to get kids’ stuff organized this fall.
