What do I need for school?

Many many mornings I have realized that I forgot to remind a child to put something in his backpack the night before so we spend the last few moments before heading out the door frantically searching for a library book or show and tell item.

This past week at Bible study, it occurred to me that I really SHOULD be passing the responsibility for these items onto my kindergartener and first grader. Forgetting these things now will not mark the end of the world, but instead a slip here and there might wisen them up without any major damage.

I do want to help them in a way that they can be reminded and take action for themselves, though, so I made this poster for the back of the door that leads out to the garage:

On the poster I painted the days of the week. Then, by each day I wrote in black the items that they both need for school each day:

Lunch? (Because some days they bring and some they buy, I put the question mark so they would have to think about it and decide for themselves if they need to bring it.)

Home reader

Then I used one color for each boy and listed the things each needs next to the appropriate day… Library books, take home folders, homework, spelling words, show and tell, etc.

I’ve left room so I can use sticky notes to add items to the days as we get other assignments or need different reminders.

Each school night I plan to remind the boys to look at the list and pack their backpacks accordingly the night before. This will just become part of the bedtime routine. I will not read the list for them or tell them about each item. It will be up to each child to read the list and do what needs to be done. Then, in the morning, they will see the list again as we leave the house. Hopefully they’ll use that as a double checking opportunity. We’ll see.

I hope this ends up working for us. In the meantime, I thought it might also help another family out there struggling with the same challenges. Let me know what you think.

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