A complete guide to preparing for the start of school in 2026: a list of school supplies, a complete guide to choosing a school bag and getting ready for school
Countdown to school season! This article compiles a comprehensive guide to preparing for the new semester of 2026: a list of school supplies and stationery for school entry, key points in selecting children’s schoolbags, a recovery plan for the two weeks before the start of school, psychological adjustment and the development of study habits. Parents with kindergarten to elementary school students should follow these instructions and not panic in the first week of school.
💡 This guide was compiled and proofread by Mark Liu. The content will be continuously updated with tool versions and market changes. It is recommended to adjust the application according to the actual situation.
Table of Contents
1. Pre-entry competency assessment
| Ability-oriented | Specific performance | how to cultivate | Things parents can do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take care of yourself | Able to go to the toilet, wash hands, and put on undressing shoes by oneself | Let children practice in daily life | Give your children time to do it themselves, don’t do it for them |
| social skills | Able to interact, take turns and share with children of the same age | Schedule playtime with other children | Role play to practice social situations |
| Emotional management | Able to express feelings in words rather than crying | Teach emotion vocabulary and processing methods | Accept emotions and guide expression |
| Concentration | Able to focus on one thing for 10-15 minutes | Reading, puzzles, building blocks and other activities | Provide a quiet and undisturbed environment |
| Basic knowledge | Recognize colors, shapes, numbers 1-10 | Integrating learning into daily play | No need to learn writing and reading in advance |
| language expression | Ability to clearly express needs and ideas | Talk to your children more and read picture books | Listen patiently without interrupting the child |
Tip
- Each child develops at a different rate, and it is not necessary to achieve perfect results in all items.
- If there are areas where you are clearly lagging behind, consult a child development specialist
Important Notes
Don’t force your children to study too much because of the pressure to enter school. Forced study can have the opposite effect and make children fear school.
2. School supplies preparation list
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bag
Choose a school bag that is lightweight and has a thick and cushioned strap. The size fits your child's body shape, not too big or heavy. It is more practical with waterproof function and multi-compartment design.
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Stationery
Pencil (triangular grip is better for beginners), eraser, colored pens, scissors (round-tipped safety scissors), glue or lipstick glue, ruler.
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Lunch related
Insulated lunch box, kettle (leak-proof design), cutlery set. Choose a style that your child can open on their own and avoid complicated buckles.
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clothing
If no uniform is required, prepare clothing that will facilitate movement. Keep an extra set of clothes at school (in case they get wet or dirty). Choose shoes that are easy to put on and take off.
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personal hygiene
Small pack of tissues, handkerchief or small towel, spare mask. You can prepare a small bag to hold these items.
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name sticker
Label all items with your child's name, including clothing, stationery, water bottles, lunch boxes, etc. Prevent confusion with other children's items.
Tip
- Involve children in selecting school bags and stationery to increase their anticipation of going to school
- You don’t need to buy the most expensive one, practicality and durability are the most important thing
- Practice using school bags, opening lunch boxes, using kettles, etc. at home before school starts
3. A recovery plan for the first two weeks of school
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14 Days Before School Starts: Move Bedtime 15 Minutes Earlier Every 2 To 3 Days, Closer To The School Day Schedule
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10 Days Before School Starts: Resume Fixed Daily Time For Static Activities (Reading, Writing, Puzzles) And Rebuild Concentration
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7 Days Before School Starts: Take Your Children Together To Buy School Supplies And Check School Bags, Turning "School Is About To Start" Into An Expectation Instead Of A Threat
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3 Days Before The Start Of School: Completely Switch To The School Day Schedule, Including A Practical Practice Of Getting Up, Breakfast And Going Out.
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1 Day Before School Starts: Pack Your School Bags And Clothes Together, And Talk About The Friends You Want To See And The Courses You Are Looking Forward To After School Starts.
Tip
- Key points when choosing a schoolbag: The empty bag should weigh no more than 1kg, have a chest buckle and wide shoulder straps, the bottom should not be lower than the waistline when carried, and the total weight after full should not exceed 12.5% of the child's weight.
4. Psychological preparation and emotional adjustment
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Familiarize yourself with the environment in advance
Before entering school, take your children to visit the school and get to know the locations of classrooms, toilets, and playgrounds. Making unfamiliar situations familiar can reduce anxiety.
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Picture book guide
Read picture book stories about going to school together, allowing children to understand school life through stories. Discuss the feelings of the characters in the story.
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role play
Simulate the situation of going to school at home: getting up in the morning, getting dressed, eating breakfast, going out, arriving at school, going to class, taking a break, and finishing school. Have your children rehearse the process.
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positive statement
Describe the school in positive terms: "You will make new friends" and "The teachers will teach you fun things." Avoid threatening language such as "If you don't behave, the teacher will punish you."
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Separation Anxiety Coping
Drop off at school, give them a hug and a firm goodbye, and then leave. Don't sneak away or keep coming back because your child is crying. I believe the teacher can handle it.
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comfort object
Allow your child to bring a small comfort object (such as a small doll or a family photo) in his school bag to let him know that his family is always there.
Tip
- Start adjusting your daily schedule 1-2 months before enrollment to match the school's commuting time.
- Bring a little surprise when picking up your children a few days ago to make school a happy event
Important Notes
If your child's separation anxiety lasts for more than a month or is so severe that it refuses to eat or has frequent nightmares at night, it is recommended to seek help from a child psychologist.
5. Establish good study habits
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Fixed work and rest time
Set regular times for waking up, going to school, doing homework, playing, and going to bed. A regular rhythm of life makes children feel safe and easier to cooperate.
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Dedicated study space
Set up a quiet, well-lit study nook in your home. Keep the desktop clean and place only study-related items.
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homework habits
Do your homework at a fixed time every day (for example, take a 30-minute break after school). Do the difficult subjects first, then the easy ones. Check it over with yourself after you're done.
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reading habits
At least 15-20 minutes of parent-child reading or independent reading every day. Choose books that interest your child, not necessarily textbooks.
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Organize your habits
Before going to bed, pack your schoolbag and prepare clothes and supplies for tomorrow. This develops responsibility and organizational skills.
Tip
- It takes 21-66 days to form a habit, and parents need to be patiently accompanied and reminded in the first few weeks.
- Use visual schedules (pictures or checklists) to help children remember daily routines
6. Communication and cooperation with schools
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get to know the teacher
Before school starts, take the initiative to get to know the class teacher and share important information such as your child’s personality, allergies, and special needs.
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Participate in school activities
Actively participate in parent-teacher meetings, volunteer activities and parent-child activities organized by the school. Let your child know that his parents value his school life.
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Communicate with teachers regularly
Don’t wait until you have a problem to contact the teacher. Regularly check on your child's performance, friendships and learning status at school.
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Face the problem correctly
When a child encounters a problem at school, listen to the child's side of the story and the teacher's side of the problem first, and don't rush to take sides. After objective understanding, we can coordinate and deal with it.
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Support school education
Do not criticize teachers or schools at home in front of your children. If you have any concerns, speak directly to the teacher or school administrator.
Tip
- Prepare a contact book or use the school’s communication app to record important matters
- Respect the teacher’s professionalism and communicate rationally when you have different opinions
7. Frequently Asked Admissions Questions and Solutions
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don't want to go to school
First understand the reason: do you miss your parents, are afraid of teachers, are you being bullied, or can’t keep up? Deal with the cause. In most cases, continued encouragement and normal school attendance will lead to gradual improvement.
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Can't make friends
Invite classmates to play at home or arrange activities with classmates after class. Teach children basic social skills: saying hello, inviting play dates, and sharing toys.
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Can't keep up with the progress
Communicate with the teacher to understand the specific situation. Use gamification to review at home and don’t turn it into extra academic pressure. Every child learns at a different rate.
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Being bullied or bullied
Take your child's statement seriously and don't say, "Just bear with it." Report the situation to the teacher and communicate with the other parent if necessary. Teach your children how to ask for help.
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Trouble concentrating
Make sure your child gets enough sleep (10-13 hours for preschool, 9-12 hours for school). Reduce sugar intake. If severe symptoms persist, consult a child development specialist.
Tip
- Spend 10-15 minutes every day talking to your children about interesting things that happened at school today
- Don’t overdo it by asking “Have you been bullied today?” Ask positive questions instead.
Important Notes
If your child develops severe withdrawal behaviors (such as not talking, not eating, returning to chronic night-wetting), professional psychological support may be needed.
Key Takeaways
- 1 Evaluate and develop children's self-care, social skills and basic cognitive abilities before entering school
- 2 Prepare school bags, stationery, lunch supplies and other necessities in advance and let your children participate in the selection process
- 3 Prepare yourself mentally through picture books, role plays and campus visits, and describe school life positively
- 4 Establish a regular routine, homework habits and reading habits in the first few months after enrollment
- 5 Maintain good communication with the school, pay attention to the child's adaptation, and provide patience and support.
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