What’s missing from your back to school checklist?

The school year has only just come to a close, but as the summer holidays start to fly by, it’s time to get organised for the year ahead.

While your school will have covered off all the stationery and exercise books that are needed for class, there’s some key school items that are often forgotten.

Here are the back to school essentials that you won’t find on your child’s school list. Add them to your checklist and save yourself a last-minute dash this back to school season.

For the classroom

Pencils? Check. Erasers? Check. Scissors? Check. With classroom stationery covered, it’s worth considering the additional back to school supplies that will set your child up for success.

• Pencil case - Let your child’s personality shine through with a new pencil case - a classroom essential but often forgotten from the school list. Help them to find a design and colour that they love to inspire them for the year ahead.
• Book covers and contact - A new school year signals a new set of exercise books. With an array of colours and designs available, your kids will love choosing covers or contact to protect their books and ensure they stand out in the classroom.
• Labels/label makers - investing in labels or your own label maker will save you money and time later in the year. Lunch boxes, hats, even school socks! Label it all, so your child’s lost items can be easily identified and returned.
• Backpack - if your school doesn’t require a branded school backpack, help your kids find the perfect style for them in-store. Functionality and comfort should be top priority, with a wide range of brands and colours to choose from.
• Socks - if you’re heading out to get the kids a new pair of shoes, don’t forget a few new pairs of socks too! Chances are they’re not what they were at the end of last year.

Outdoor essentials

Australian school kids spend a big chunk of their day outside, but most school lists forget essential outdoor items. Prep your child for playground fun by picking up these basic necessities.

• Sunscreen - teachers aren’t expected to apply sunscreen, so arm your little ones with SPF 30 or a higher broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect their skin from sun damage. Clip the sunscreen onto their schoolbag, or place it in to their lunchbox for a quick reminder at recess and lunch.
• First aid kit - from new-shoe blisters to skinned knees, little accidents are unavoidable in the schoolyard. Keep a small first-aid kit in your child’s backpack to deal with any mishaps.
• Lunchbox and drink bottles - lunchboxes and drink bottles seem to go missing between term four and the start of the new school year. Consider a lunch box that is dishwasher friendly, insulated to keep food fresh and big enough to fit a sandwich, fresh fruit and snacks.
• Umbrella/raincoat - what parent hasn’t parked the car only to have a downpour commence just before end of day pick up? Keep a spare umbrella and raincoat at the bottom of your child’s bag so they don’t get soaked while waiting in those summer showers.

Tech stuff

Technology is an integral part of school life. While picking the right device for your child is its own undertaking, don’t forget the smaller accessories that will see your child through the school year.

• Headphones - whether used for audio books or movie watching, a set of headphones at home will keep competing sounds to a minimum. Let your kids choose from a range of eye-catching colours or stickers to personalise their set.
• Spare chargers - computer, tablet and phone chargers are a bit like socks and teaspoons - they go missing easily, and at the time you need them most! Always have a spare on hand.
• Laptop bags and padded sleeves - invest in a padded sleeve and laptop bag to ensure your child’s computer or tablet withstands the wear and tear of the school commute.
• Portable hard drives and USB sticks - save your kids the tears over lost files by teaching them to back up their work on a USB stick or portable hard drive.
• Printer ink cartridges - Even in this digital world, there’s still a need for printing out speeches and assignments. Keep a spare ink cartridge on hand to avoid stress the night before an assignment is due.

Home study supplies

Create a distraction free workspace and set your child up for success at home.

• Filing system - between permission slips, newsletters, reports and old assignments, kids bring home a lot of paper on a weekly basis. Invest in a good on-desk drawer to stay organised and avoid a paperwork pile on the kitchen bench
• Diary or calendar - a diary or wall calendar will teach your children to be organised when it comes to their assignments and extracurricular activities.
• Spare stationery supplies - a stash of spare stationary at home will come in handy if any supplies start to run out (or magically disappear!) before your next big back to school shop.
• Creative learning - we live in a digital world with instant access to information via the internet. Still, there’s something to be said for old-fashioned learning. Consider wallcharts, dictionaries and a spinning globe to aid the learning process at home.

With a little planning, the back to school shop can be an exciting experience for your child. Get them involved in the preparation, from writing their checklist, to paying the cashier. Armed with these essentials, they’ll be inspired to tackle the new school year.