Must-Have School Supplies

It’s the season of school supplies!  Here are some of our top picks to help get not only your student, but your home, back to school ready.

• Dry-Erase Board with Assorted Color Markers: Write down reminders, assignments (and what materials they need), to-do lists, or even morning and nighttime routines.  Check off each task once they have been completed to help feel more accomplished.  Use colors to distinguish children, notes, or activities.

• Calendar: Place near the landing zone or in a high volume and clearly visible space for all family members to look at regularly.  Use a dry erase calendar or large paper calendar to organize after-school activities, appointments, family events,  and even remind them what larger project/test is due that day.  Encourage your child to check the calendar as part of the routine.  Include times the family will be leaving so the student knows what to expect and can plan accordingly.

• Timer: Great way to help your child work in small increments of time.  Instead of asking them to clean their room, suggest they set a timer for 5 minutes and pick up all their clothes off the floor.

• Cascading Wall Organizer: Keep papers off your desk or countertops. Use a different color for each child to file papers that have to be signed and sent back to school.  File work from each class in different color folders to help eliminate notebook clutter and store work from earlier in the school year.  

• Baskets: Instead of asking your children repeatedly to bring things up or downstairs, place objects in a basket by the steps so your young person can grab it as they go up/down.  A great nonverbal strategy to avoid potential conflict and ensure tasks get done.