How to Choose the Right School Supplies for Your Child

Choosing school supplies for your child may be an overwhelming thing to do, given all the great choices that are found in the stores. It all begins with knowing what exactly your child will be needing, according to the class that they are going to and the subjects they are going to study. Younger children are content to get by with general supplies such as crayons, pencils and notebooks. Older students may have more specific needs such as calculators or special kinds of paper. Contact your local school or your child's teacher to obtain a copy of the classroom's specific "Back to School" supply list. These lists will inform you of what your child will need to be successful in each class.

Budgeting for School Supplies

When you have an idea of everything that will be needed, it is time to work out a budget. School supplies can quickly add up and even easier if there are more than one child. Determine what items must be had and which ones can wait until later or can be deleted altogether. Watch for sales and discounts, especially back-to-school sales, in which you should not be afraid to buy in bulk where possible. You can also plan on reusing some things from last school year. Many supplies will last several years, such as rulers and scissors. Plan a budget and get ahead so the financial stress of back-to-school shopping does not overwhelm you.

Durable Supplies

School supplies can be variable in quality. Children can sometimes be very rough with their things, and quite all right when durable items are bought that would put up nicely with daily use. For the backpacks, extra stitching or even sturdy zippers greet any welcome; for notebooks, pick those with sturdy binding that prevents pages from getting torn out. Writing instruments-just get trusted brands. Although that may be a temptation to buy those cheaper alternatives, spending your money on a higher-quality material might save you money throughout the year since there will not be that much need to replace many items during the school year.

Involving Your Child in the Process

Giving your child an opportunity to help you pick his or her supplies for school can be an exciting learning process. This gives them a sense of ownership regarding the things that they will be bringing or using at school, and make them more willing to start their schooling. Allow your child to choose, for example, their backpack, lunchbox, and notebooks; however, still let them know the suitable ones according to your budget and the school supply list. This can also serve as a very good opportunity to let them learn how to make choices and understand the value of money. This way, you are also allowing your child an opportunity to express his or her personality through the choices he or she makes, and the transition to school will not be as painful.

Organizing and Labeling Supplies

After buying everything, it is very crucial to put these supplies in order. Train your child on how they can organize their own supplies to be responsible and efficient when doing school work; for instance, pencil cases for small things and binders to keep all the papers in order. Besides, labeling can be quite helpful with regard to one's supplies; it is especially true for kids who are younger and thus cannot remember something is theirs. Labels for kids can be prepared with their names and perhaps even fun designs to make their identification easily possible, which can help them avoid misplacing or having other kids take their supplies. This simple step not only helps your child to become organized but also gives them an opportunity to own their items.

Getting Ready for the School Year

Months before the school year begins, take the time necessary to mentally and physically prepare. Having a space at home ready and prepared for homework will enable your child to easily settle into the school year. Set up a space that is homework-friendly, with all the supplies needed, and eliminate or limit distractions. Make sure your child has looked around and knows where everything is so they will have the confidence to be ready to start their homework. Routines around schoolwork and homework help your child develop a sense of good habits and a positive attitude about his or her studies.

Keeping the Supply Journey Going Throughout the Year

The selection and care of school supplies does not end once school has gotten underway. Throughout the year, note your child supplies and things that will be needed to be replaced. Every couple of months, you'll want to take an inventory of his or her supplies to help you identify things that may be running low, such as pencils and notebooks. In the process, be sure to have your child communicate his or her needs with you, which becomes a great bonus in teaching responsibility for his or her things. This will also be an ongoing dialogue that is very important for you and your child as you look to remain organized and prepared throughout the year.


Setting your child up with proper school supplies can make for a great basis for a successful year. Because by identifying what they need, then planning a suitable budget, choosing hard-wearing items, and involving them in choosing them, you will be taking the necessary steps to equip your child for whatever eventuality concerning the topic at hand. Apart from that, it instills some sense of responsibility in them, and doing some of these everyday things will be easier for them. In this way, taking care of school supplies will make you able to let your child feel confident and happy when starting his or her school path.