You know that song that comes out at Christmas time... It's the most wonderful time of the year -- well that's what back-to-school means to me!
Hi All, It's me, Robin. I have a confession to make -- I'm a back-to-school lover!
The fresh new start, the joy of learning, labeling and organizing everything, and cracking open a brand new notebook... in my opinion, there's almost nothing better!
There's a special excitement about going back to school, one I have held onto since childhood. When I was in elementary school, Staples, Dollarama, Walmart, and Amazon didn't exist. We actually wouldn't find out much until we showed up on the first day. We'd go into the school yard, locate our names on a classroom assignment chart posted on the school's exterior wall, and then find our teachers. Later that day, we'd get our magical list of school supplies.
⬆️ ⬆️ This is a Cumberland's advertisement in the Montreal Gazette from September 4, 1985!
In the late 80s and early 90s, everyone would rush to their local pharmacy to buy all of the needed school supplies. It was a madhouse. I remember walking into Cumberland's drug store with my mom and sister, which had two whole aisles of school supplies! I was in heaven! There were so many binders to choose from, all different colors and brands. There were several choices of markers, colored pencils and erasers. My eyes would light up, as if I was in a candy store, and I would beg my mother to buy me the coolest items for school (all of this abundance, color, and choice, is of course relative to the time and my little kid eyes...).
The entire shopping experience would take hours, and sometimes we would have to go back a few times that week, if supplies had dwindled or if we needed extra things. We would inevitably run into all of our classmates and their entire families (everyone in the area went to the same pharmacy to purchase their school supplies) -- it was the best time, especially on a school night!
The Importance of Shopping for School Supplies *Together*
When I was in elementary school, everyone wanted to get all of their supplies right away -- we wanted to be prepared and have everything we needed. Most kids I knew would get their supplies together with their parents, it's just the way it was. There was a sense of pride and accomplishment that came with being organized and ready to learn. I believe there still is -- and that this feeling of pride and accomplishment directly affect school readiness, attitude, and success.
Today, of course, there is much more choice available, and getting the supplies can be much easier and faster. Even so, there are important benefits of including students in preparing for their own academic year ahead:
It gives students a fresh start which symbolizes new opportunities for success, learning, and achievement.
It allows kids to become excited about going back to school! And since we all know that excitement and school do not always go hand in hand, it is important to embrace any and all opportunities to start the year off on a positive note!
When kids are excited about picking out their own school supplies they are more likely to stay organized and take better care of them.
Following a list, with support, and then finding visual and tangible items that match that list allows students with the opportunity to practice and utilize their executive function skills in a supported and safe situation.
Seeing visuals of what is needed allows students to use their visual working memory to better understand what is coming up, thus allowing the opportunity to preview!
When you arrive home, sort through all of your new supplies together and set up a system to keep track of everything! It's a great opportunity to set up and implement an organization system, then do a practice run (dress rehearsal) of what putting it into action will be like!
Even now, as an adult, the back-to-school season still brings me so much joy and optimism -- I have carried this feeling with me for my whole life and I hope that every child will be able to share in this feeling at some point as well!
Wishing you a wonderful school year ahead!
Robin