Back to School Essentials for Elementary School Children

If you have elementary school aged child, now is the time to be thinking about school supplies. Here are the basics that they will need to start school this year...

A Backpack ~
Taking their supplies to school, (and bringing home the treasures that they create for you!), will be easier if they have something to carry them in. Getting your child his or her own backpack allows them to keep their hands free while going up steps to the school building and going in and out of the school bus. With their hands free they can hold on to the hand rail for safety instead.

Crayons ~
Your elementary school aged child will be expected to come to school with crayons. While you can settle for the basic eight crayon pack, I strongly recommend the big 64-pack with the built in sharpener. That array of colors allows your child the extra opportunities for creativity. The difference in price is usually very small between the different sizes of boxes of crayons. If at all possible, give your child the power of the big box.

Primary Paper ~
Primary school paper has the two solid lines across the bottom and top with a dashed line across the middle. This paper is used when teaching the handwriting skills and is very, very handy. Unless your child's penmanship is already stellar, you will definitely want to pick up a pad of primary writing paper to add to their school supplies.

Safety Scissors ~
Elementary school aged children are going to a lot of cutting, but not all of them are appropriately able to use sharp grown-up scissors yet. Look for the rounded tip plastic safety scissors to send to school with your child.

Glue ~
The trend now is to get away from liquid glue, and encourage the children to use glue sticks instead. I suppose this is because teachers find the glue sticks less mess to clean up. Both versions are so inexpensive that I would recommend getting both versions for your child if at all possible. They are really not the same in every situation. There will be times when you need liquid glue and times when a glue stick is more appropriate.

When stocking up on these essentials for your elementary school aged child be sure to watch your local grocery and discount stores for 'back to school' sales. Back to school items are frequently marked down to fifty cents or a quarter per item during the last days before the new school year starts. You can fill your elementary school child's school supply list very inexpensively if you watch for those sales.

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