As we breeze through summer, the start of the next school year may be the farthest thing from your mind. However, as with so much of parenting, things happen quickly and day one will be here before you know it. In order to help you be prepared, we’ve prepared a little something for you: a back-to-school checklist complete with must-have items to stock up on and some foundational skills to ensure you and your little one are as ready as you can be.

Note: Depending on the age of your child and whether it’s their first time at school, some items on this list may or may not pertain to you.

Things to Buy

• Backpack or bag
• School supplies (e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, anything on the classroom list)
• Lunchbox
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Diapers, wipes, cream
• School lunch foods + snacks
• Extra set of school clothes

Things to Do

• Create schedules and set weekday expectations
• Get them a haircut
• Send school all necessary paperwork
• Get extra medication if child requires it
• Secure after-school care
• Clean out closets and make a list of necessary items
• Label the essentials
• Check in on summer assignments
• Review school safety plan
• Pack backpack/bag
• Take first day of school pics

Filling the Backpack

Once you’ve got the backpack (or bag), it’s time to pack. In terms of what goes in, this depends on the age of your kiddo. For young children, the backpack typically just contains lunch/snacks, water bottle, change of clothes, etc. Older children will have required supplies outlined by their grade and school.

For the School: If your child is attending daycare or preschool, you will need to provide the facility with diapers and diaper ointment for those not potty trained, sunscreen, additional sets of clothes, and other sundries. If your child requires medications or medical devices, do not forget to send these. Work with your child’s school on an action plan for storing and administering.

Stocking the Pantry

Stocking up on kids’ food and snacks is likely a weekly task in your home, but it’s a good idea to ensure you’re fully stocked on the favorites ahead of time to avoid any added stress. Back to school can bring big feelings for your little ones so having their go-to, feel-good, and nutritious foods on hand to pack in their lunches (and offer after school) can be a big help. Just remember that many schools have restrictions on what foods kids can bring (no peanuts, no sweets, etc.).

Sharpening the Skills

A new grade means new amounts of homework or maybe homework for the first time. Talk about what that means and how you will help them be successful. Entering a new school means new faces, so make sure you speak with them about being kind, patient, and respecting other people. For young kids, remind them about personal space and how to communicate when they might want/need some. Be sure your kiddo knows who to go to for mental health support while at school and that they feel safe and empowered to use their voice.

Setting the Routines

While summer typically means looser rules around bedtimes and wake-ups, back to school is the time to get things in order, including routines. Meet with the family to get on the same page about what the days and nights will look like. Take the time to do this together, writing down their nighttime and morning routines. Maybe you grab some poster board and use markers to create colorful lists, maybe you create a sticker chart so the kids can feel special as they accomplish their tasks. Make it fun!

No matter how many things you do (or maybe don’t) check off this list, the best thing you can do for your child is to check in with them to see how they’re feeling about heading to back school and keep being the amazingly supportive, loving parent you are.