- Because you can (almost) never do too much, when it comes to taking care of your kids...
It can be difficult to make a back-to-school list during the best of times. With COVID-19 in the mix, that list may be a little bit longer than usual. Of course, your kids need supplies other than those that will protect them against the virus. Technology continues to change the landscape of education, meaning that certain gadgets might give your kids the edge in class.
Even in the 21st century, folders and notebooks are useful. However, there may be a few things you need to rethink before you add them to your list. After all, those insulated fancy lunch boxes may seem great, but they can carry a lot of bacteria. So before you hit the stores, pull up the note app on your phone or grab some scratch paper. It’s time to rewrite the list.
Here are seven things you may want to add to your child’s 2021 back-to-school list.
1. A Smart Watch
It’s normal for parents to feel a pang of concern about their kids when they’re headed back to school. If you’re a stay-at-home parent, you might have gotten used to keeping a watchful eye on them. Thankfully, there are now a number of gadgets that can keep you connected with your kids throughout the day.
A kids smartwatch is a great option to give you peace of mind and support your child during school. GPS tracking ensures that you know where they are throughout the day. Enabling calling can make their after-school activities less of a hassle. While they’re at soccer practice or out with friends, they’ll only be a phone call away. Plus, a smartwatch with an SOS/emergency notification feature means that help will always be within reach for your child.
2. Masks for Kids
As schools open, the CDC is recommending that kids wear masks at school. If your child isn’t accustomed to wearing one, now might be a good time for them to start. Since kids will need to wear them for long periods of time, get a few different brands. Then they can try them on and decide which ones are most comfortable.
Keep in mind that kids masks are different sizes and have different features. You may think that kids masks are one-size-fits-all, but they’re not. You’ll need to get a size that’s appropriate for your child. And be sure to pack a few extra in your child’s backpack.
3. Reusable Water Bottle
Even before COVID-19, infections and colds ran rampant in schools. There’s no way to avoid illness completely, but there are a few things to do to mitigate the cold-catching risk. For one, water fountains can be a petri dish for all kinds of bacteria. So this summer, get your kid a reusable water bottle.
There are dozens of options specifically designed for kids. They’re colorful, sized for kids, and many of them are leak proof. A number of them even have antimicrobial components. This will help prevent bacteria from spreading. Plus, your kid can stay hydrated while reducing waste.
4. Headphones
Headphones are a great thing to add to the back-to-school list this year. Your kids will be thrilled to have them to play games or simply listen to music at home. However, they’re also essential for online homework with audio components. While no one wants school to go online again, you’ll be prepared with headphones if it does.
Noise levels are an important factor when buying headphones for children. Listening to music or other noises too loudly can cause hearing loss. Thankfully, there are headphones that can limit the volume so that your little one will be safe.
5. Lunch Utensils
Unfortunately, this may not be the best time to teach kids the importances of reusable napkins, bags, and utensils. For the sake of the planet, reuse is key, but the pandemic makes it tough to prioritize. A plastic lunchbox that’s been on unsanitized cafeteria tables and ends up on your kitchen counter isn’t ideal. However, that doesn’t mean you have to forget about the environment completely.
Send your kids to school with compostable forks and spoons. Get recycled paper napkins so that you cut down on waste. Finally, consider a cloth lunch bag that you can throw in the washing machine as soon as they get home. Then you won’t have to worry about the virus or sticky fingers.
6. Blue Light Glasses
Screens are here to stay. There’s no fighting them. Laptops and iPads are in offices and homes around the world. Computers are in classes. And cellphones are in children’s hands.
Tech obviously has many advantages and can make daily life easier and more efficient. However, technology certainly has its drawbacks, especially for kids. Unfortunately, children’s social skills aren’t the only things at risk when they spend too long staring at screens. The blue light on screens can also be bad for kids. So when you go back-to-school shopping, consider getting a pair of blue light glasses.
7. Emotional Workbooks
The last year and a half was hard on everyone, including children. Many teenagers reported higher rates of stress in 2020 than previous years. Increases in stress can have a profound effect on children’s behavior and emotional well-being.
On the other hand, mental health awareness is on the rise. Because of this, there are more tools available to support kids if they’re anxious or stressed. Consider getting your child an anxiety workbook if they seem particularly stressed about going back to school. Notebooks like these can help them work through emotionally difficult times. Even the act of journaling has major benefits.
Every school year looks a little different than the one before. From tech improvements to changing understanding of children’s wellness, trends in society impact what school will look like. Of course, COVID-19 is also shaping changes this year as it did last year.
Make sure your children are prepared for class with more than pencils and highlighters. Your kids will need these too, but you’ll likely wish to expand that shopping list. You want your child to be prepared for more than class — you want them to be prepared for the day. Things like smartwatches and reusable water bottles will set them up for a smooth semester. And you might just have a little less stress knowing you’ve done everything you can to keep them safe.