The Checklist: Everything You Need For Back to Schoolccc
Written By: Ambreia Meadows - Fernandez
It’s back-to-school time! And all of us have the same goal: to give our children the smoothest transition possible. Of course, we know communication, attention, and unyielding support are the most important things children need for back-to-school. But a little preparation goes a long way.
Keep reading if you’re curious about some items that will help support your children and you as you return to school.
Tech
The right technology can make or break the school year. The materials don’t have to cost a lot, but they should help your child manage their time, needs, calls, and anything else that could be a barrier to connecting in school.
Yoto: Young kids will love this screen-free device, which offers engaging audio stories, homework and teeth-brushing timers, age-appropriate podcasts, and much more.
TickTalk (or a Bluetooth tracker): This smartwatch is a great way to communicate with and track your not quite ready for a cell phone tween. It can also help them learn communication etiquette.
Mark-My-Time Digital Bookmark: This digital bookmark offers an easy way to keep track of those mandatory weekly reading and homework expectations!
Noise-cancelling headphones: Let’s be real. Our teens don’t want to hear us. Help them stay in the zone with some top-rated budget headphones.
Fashion
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to fashion. So, instead of naming specific clothing items, we can highlight a few great places to meet your fashion needs on a budget.
Cat and Jack: Parents of younger children love Cat and Jack for many reasons. The brand offers diverse clothing options at affordable prices, and it has a one-year buyback program that means you can make an exchange—or a return—if you have an issue, and you’re covered for the entire school year!
Clothing subscription boxes: Are you feeling too busy to pick your kids' clothes (or have a picky tween who wants to guide their clothing experience?)? A clothing subscription, like Stitch Fix Kids, Kidpik, or Dopple, can ensure all parties are happy.
Thrift Stores: Adults know that thrift stores are fantastic fashion resources. Your local thrift store might also be an excellent resource for your teen to craft and maintain their personal style. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other local consignment locations can have excellent options.
Mental Health
Our children's mental health is crucial on this journey. Thankfully, there are both high-tech and low-tech options to help them develop supportive mental health practices for school and beyond. You can do a lot with an old-school composition notebook, but there are other options if you want more.
Joon: Behavior Improvement App—Thousands of parents with neurodivergent 8 - 12-year-olds say this app helped them build executive functioning skills and improve behavior.
Headspace App - This app can help you and your littles practice daily meditation.
Therapy for Black Kids (T4BK) - look here for a therapist specializing in children!
Out of Your Mind: A Journal and Coloring Book to Distract Your Anxious Mind - This coloring book can help them (or you) stay calm in overwhelming moments.
The Anti-Planner: How to Get Stuff Done When You Don't Feel Like It—This can be a big help if you live in a neurodiverse household!