A new school year is exciting, but it can also be expensive and stressful. Planning ahead makes it much easier. Use this checklist to avoid last-minute rushes.
Bags and lunch boxes
Choose a school bag with padded shoulder straps and enough compartments. As a rule, the bag should not weigh more than 10 to 15 percent of your child's body weight. Leak-proof lunch boxes and insulated bottles help keep food fresh.
Stationery
- Notebooks and exercise books for each subject
- Pencils, erasers, sharpeners and a geometry box
- Coloured pencils and a ruler
- A sturdy pencil case
Uniforms and shoes
Children grow quickly, so check last year's uniforms and shoes early. Buy comfortable school shoes with good grip, and keep a spare pair of socks in the bag.
Build a routine
Start going to bed and waking up on school-time schedules a week before classes begin, so your child can adjust smoothly.
