Starting school is an important milestone in the life of every child – and also of parents. On the one hand, it is an important step toward independence and growing up. But on the other hand, it is also an unmistakable sign that childhood will soon be a thing of the past. Children therefore often feel conflicted between anticipation and fear about what lies ahead. And parents, too, often struggle with pride as well as melancholy at the same time. What can help then is to throw oneself into the preparations and thus distract oneself from the emotional chaos. Because before the first day of school can actually come, your child first needs its basic equipment. We’ll tell you which items absolutely have to be on your checklist and how you can best master this exciting time together with your child.

First Of All You Have To Create A Checklist

Actually, you can consider the start of school as a kind of great journey on which your child will set off, and this journey wants to be well prepared. You need to buy important things. And finally, everything needs to be packed for the first day of school – and the second, and the third…

So that you don’t forget anything important in all the excitement or get pressed for time, a checklist is your best friend in this phase. It helps you to keep track of everything. It will calm your nerves and keep you from constantly wondering if there is anything you still need to buy, do or pack.

Your first and most important step when it comes to preparing for school is to create such a checklist. In some schools, you will even receive it at or after the official registration of your child. Sometimes there is also an “open day” or “information day for parents”, where you can get information about many essential questions – including the basic equipment your child needs for school. If there is no such offer or you are still unsure, you can also exchange information with the parents of other children or use the following checklist as a guide:

1. Buying The “Right” School Bag

The most expensive, but at the same time most important purchase for starting school is of course the school bag. Your child will certainly look forward to it the most and will start thinking about which colors, shapes or motifs he or she would like to have a long time in advance. The perfect time to buy a school bag is about three to six months before the child starts school. Under no circumstances should you be under time pressure, because shortly before school starts, the desired motif may be sold out or there may only be models that are too expensive.

It makes sense to give your child a few catalogs about six months to a quarter of a year before school starts. He or she can browse through them and check off which satchels he or she would like. It is best, however, to include only those models that are actually suitable for you – both in terms of price and quality. That way, you save yourself trouble if the child doesn’t get the satchel you want and you have to explain yourself. Quality is also an important keyword, because it is the be-all and end-all when buying a school bag.

• it is a sturdy satchel with adjustable straps and the top edge starts at the child’s shoulder height.
• it is equipped with reflectors so that car, bicycle, bus drivers or other road users can see your child better on dark winter days.
• the school bag fits properly and comfortably. Therefore, it does not make sense to buy it without the child as a gift or to order it online.

Instead, this moment when you buy his first school bag with your child is unforgettable. Browse together in the store, try on models, get advice and take your time to make the right decision. Maybe you’ll have to go to another store or sleep on it and come back. But with enough buffer time for enrollment, you’re guaranteed to find what you’re looking for!

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2. Selecting And Equipping The Pencil Case

Together with the school bag, the pencil case is usually purchased directly. Usually your child takes the matching model with the same motif as the satchel. But of course this is not a must! In any case, the first pencil case should be neat, i.e. have elastic bands, compartments, etc., so that each pencil is in its place and also the eraser, sharpener,..

Then you can fill the pencil case directly, with.

• Pencils,
• Eraser,
• Sharpener,
• Crayons,
• scissors,
• a glue stick and of course
• with a fountain pen.

The latter is available in various designs and colors. So let an experienced salesperson advise you on this, too. Your child should also be able to try out the fountain pen to see whether it feels comfortable in the hand. Once he or she has decided on a model, you can also buy matching ink cartridges and stow them in the pencil case.

3. Providing Food And Drink At School

Another important question that you should ask yourself is what to provide for your child’s lunch: So what will you give your child to eat and drink at school? And in what containers? What else does your child need to get through the school day safely, healthily and happily? The following purchases are also usually sensible:

• A small umbrella that fits in the school bag. The child does not always have to carry it, but if it is raining or there is a high probability of rain, the umbrella is definitely part of the basic equipment.
• A water bottle and a lunch box for the break must also be in the satchel. It is important that these are large enough so that your child does not get hungry or thirsty. Containers that are too large, on the other hand, are too heavy or get in the way in the school bag. It is therefore important to find the right size. It also makes sense to label the boxes & Co or to choose colorful motifs so that your child recognizes them.
• Slippers are also part of the initial equipment in some elementary schools. This keeps wetness and dirt out of the classroom and makes the children feel more comfortable – more or less like in their own home or back in kindergarten.
  And last but not least, one thing must not be missing on the first day of school: the school cone!
  

4. Other Things You Must Not Forget

Once you have checked off all these items on your to-do list, you can almost sit back and relax. Because now only small things are missing, which do not mean a big selection process and can be bought in any stationery store or large supermarket:

• Notebooks
• Homework book
• Loose-leaf binder
• Covers for the school books
• possibly covers for the exercise books
• Coloring block
• Watercolor box with brushes
• Wax crayons

Your child probably already has sports shoes and clothes. So you don’t necessarily have to buy new ones, just remember to pack them in a suitable gym bag and give them to your child when he or she has gym class that day. Last but not least, your child needs a place at home where he or she can do homework or study in peace.

What Else Should You Look Out For?

Admitting: Schooling is not cheap, but the fact that children are expensive is no secret. Nevertheless, it doesn’t always have to be the most expensive, because the school bag, the pencil case, the covers & Co will end up in the corner in a few years anyway – guaranteed. More important than buying your child the most expensive things is to be there for him emotionally. Because this is also an exciting time for your son or daughter. So if you yourself manage to look at the start of school in a positive light and work through the checklist with anticipation, this calmness will also have an effect on your offspring. Buying the first equipment for school is a joyful occasion that you can only celebrate together once in your child’s life. Enjoy this time. Talk to your child. Prepare him. Offer him support on all levels. Then nothing will go wrong – neither with your checklist nor with your emotions!

Image 1: stock.adobe.com © Natallia VintsikImage
2: stock.adobe.com © Gilbert GulbenImage
3: stock.adobe.com © gpointstudio