Back to School: Important School Supplies for Elementary School

It's that time of the year again! Time to get a jump start on the new school year, and that includes shopping for the millions of dollars of school supplies that parents buy each year. If you're stumped at where to start when you see all the goodies in the back-to-school section of your favorite store, well don't fret! Here is a list of important school supplies for elementary school children.

Number 2 Pencils -- Pencils, pencils, pencils. Pencils are the #1 required school supply for all ages, but especially for the elementary school age. A number 2 pencil is the only pencil with lead that will show up on those bubble tests. That's why this type of pencil is the one that all teachers recommend the most. Don't forget the extra erasers!

Crayons -- It doesn't matter what kind of crayons, or how many are in the box. As long as your elementary aged child has crayons in their school supply box, all will be well. All through elementary school your child(ren) will need crayons of some sort. There will be coloring pages from kindergarten and onward. Coloring contests, holiday cards, projects, and random activity pages will all require some sort of coloring utensil. On your mark, get set, COLOR!

Notebooks/Paper -- You child's teacher will let you know what kind of paper they will require throughout the school year, but all elementary aged children do need paper. There's the typical loose leaf paper in both wide rule and college rule versions. Then you have single subject and five subject spiral notebooks. Whatever kind of paper your child needs, be sure to stock up when the back to school sales have it cheap.

Child-Safe Scissors -- Cut out this square. Cut out that circle. Cut out the hearts for Valentine's Day. Another great item to add to your elementary aged child's school supply box is a good pair of child-safe scissors. It's a good idea to have the younger children practice using scissors long before they actually enter elementary school. When buying child-safe scissors, if you get a good pair they could last for years to come.

Glue -- There are all kinds of glue out there on the market. When it comes to school glue, you're generally working with glue sticks or liquid glue in a bottle. There's also paste, but not many use that anymore. In all my years as a mother, I've found that glue sticks are the general favorite from year to year. They're easier for the children to use and much less messy than the liquid glue in a bottle. Just like with notebook paper, make sure that you buy a lot of glue in the beginning of the school year when it's cheaper. Your child(ren) will use a lot of glue throughout the school year, and no one likes to hear at bedtime on a Sunday night that your child NEEDS new glue for the new week.

Supply Box -- Your elementary aged child needs somewhere to put all those brand new school supplies! A small, plastic supply box is a great way to keep everything together and within reach. You can get these for only $1 at places like Wal-mart. I would suggest that you buy at least two boxes per child so that there will be a replacement box if one breaks half-way through the school year.

BookBag -- For younger children, a good bookbag is one of their most important supplies of the school year.. It holds everything from their supply box to their winter coat, from graded papers to notes from the teacher. Get one that sets comfortably on your child's back and shoulders. Don't get one that's too large for your child to handle, but make sure that it is big enough to hold all of their supplies.

This is just a few of the most important, and most used, school supplies for elementary school. Your child's teacher will let you know if more is needed. However, if you get a jump on the school supply shopping early there'll be a lot less to buy when the new school year actually does begin. Welcome to a new year of learning!

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