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Check out this Amazon link for our most loved school supplies!
Over the years, I’ve really learned that sticking to the basics is where it’s at when it comes to school supplies. Whether you’re starting with preschool, kindergarten, or even middle school, my kids all end up using the same core things. Here’s what our basic school supplies look like:
- Something to write with – A good supply of pens and/or pencils is a must.
- Something to color with – My kids prefer markers.
- Paper – For my littles, blank paper works best. We didn’t use spiral-bound or lined notebooks at the start. Around third or fourth grade is when notebooks really started making sense.
If that’s all you’ve got when just beginning your homeschool journey, then you’re off to a great start! However, there are a few more things that have made my life as a homeschooling mom easier:
- A laminator – I know it sounds cliché, but trust me—get yourself a laminator. I use ours all the time. One of my favorite things to laminate is our kids’ daily school schedules. These are simple checklists that help them stay on track and know their expectations for the day. Each day is a little different, and it gives them a sense of ownership over their work.
- A globe – While flat maps are great, there’s just something about a globe. When we’re talking about different places around the world, being able to spin it and see the big picture has been so valuable.
- A good pencil sharpener – This one might sound small, but with five kids sharpening pencils constantly, we’ve gone through our fair share. Finding one that actually lasts has been a game-changer.
- Reading windows – These have been especially helpful for my child with dyslexia. They highlight just one sentence at a time, blocking out the rest of the page so it’s easier to focus. They come in different colors, and interestingly enough, kids often find one color that works best for them. My daughter loves yellow—it makes reading so much easier for her.
- Headphones – For my older kids who do some schoolwork on the computer, having their own pair of quality headphones has been worth it.
If you’re homeschooling older kids with toddlers underfoot, you know the struggle. A couple of things have been lifesavers for me:
- Scissors + glue sticks – Yes, it’s messy, but giving toddlers their own “school tools” helps them feel included.
- Puzzles and little activities – I keep a small stash in our school supply box just for my toddler. Anytime the big kids get out their schoolwork, she gets out hers too. It makes her feel like part of the day instead of a distraction.
(Pro tip: look around your house for things your child already loves—puzzles, coloring books, or small toys. Creating a little “school stash” for them makes a big difference!)
At the end of the day, our homeschool supplies are really simple. We’ve tried all the extras over the years, but the truth is—you don’t need much. A few basics, a couple of tools that make things easier, and some intentional activities for the younger ones can go a long way in creating a smooth homeschool day.
Check out this Amazon link for our most loved school supplies!
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