Now that summers coming to an end, it’s time to start thinking about the back to school checklist. This means that it’s time to start putting together the back to school supplies. Depending on how old your kid is, you may need to send a slightly different set of items, but here are some of the school supplies that you absolutely cannot do without:

A good backpack: The backpack you choose should be sturdy enough to hold all the items your kid needs to keep in it, but not so bulky that the weight of the pack, on its own, starts to weigh down the child. There are a lot of options available, and if you take your child along she can choose her favorite color too. Hygiene related:If your kid is old enough to open a bottle by herself, then a hand sanitizer is one of the first things to add to your child’s backpack. If you think your child may not be able to handle a bottle, look for sanitizing or anti-bacterial wipes that come in an easy to handle pack. It is important that we teach children how important it is to clean their hands at mealtimes, especially after they have spent time on the playground.

Back to school supplies.
Photo courtesy:http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebeccafeind/7571121124/

2 or 3 pocket folder: If you are putting together school supplies for high school, your kid might have more papers to organize and bring back from school, so you need to choose the type of folder accordingly. A good folder is necessary to bring back homework and any other required sheets of paper, so that these don’t get crumpled and lost in the recesses of the backpack. Writing supplies: A good sharpener is a must, though younger children may end up sharpening more than necessary this is a phase all parents must go through. Other than this, sharpened pencils, an eraser, a ruler and coloring supplies are the basic necessities, it would be a good idea to mark or label all of the above to reduce loss of such small items. In case of kindergarten school supplies, most of this may be supplied to your kid in class, so you need not pack as many items. A recent article in The Chronicle talked about how the amount and cost of school supplies has gone up in recent times. A lot of these may be available at your local large stores where they offer a discount on school supplies at this time of the year. Do take your child along when you shop, as they slowly start understanding the value of things as they grow up. Our classes at Aloha are a great addition to what your child learns at school. Do check out our website for more details: http://www.aloha-usa.com Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/aloha.usa and on Twitter: @AlohaKidsMath for constant updates and tips for your child’s education and development