Back to School – Kindergarten here we come!
Emotional Readiness
When my shy child was approaching Kindergarten, I wanted to make the experience as positive and painless as possible. They were comfortable with most adults, but navigating child to child social dynamics and friendships steadily felt daunting. Understanding the new routine of school and expectations can be anxiety inducing, so I turned to books to facilitate empowering my child to walk the halls of Kindergarten.
We had already read the Invisible String, so The Invisible String Backpack by Patricia Karst was a natural go-to! In this books, main character Mila is told by big brother Jordan about invisible tools in her backpack that can help her overcome fears and social anxieties at school.
The story is endearing and put to words some of the fears that children may have going to school for the first time. Mila learns to use her imaginary microphone to speak up and share in class, a flashlight to find the way back to her class, and courage to initiate play with other children.
Lunch box
Our lunchbox of choice is the Bentgo Kids 5 Compartment Lunch box.
Because my child does not want food touching, the Bentgo with small sealed compartments works great. The children often fling their lunch bags around and toss them into their lockers. The seal has lasted every day use for more than 1 school year already. We’ve never had anything spill out. Often, younger children only eat small portions of each item, so the portion sizing works well. It provides enough variety, but not too many that parents are scratching their heads thinking of what to put in each section. The tray pops out easily and can be thrown into the dishwasher. The outer case does need to be handwashed, so we got 2 lunch boxes per child in case we have a bit of a dish pile up situation, though that’s on us.
There are other models from Bentgo as well such as the Bentgo Pop, a 3 compartment one with a larger section for older children & teens, and the Bentgo Chill Max that can include an ice pack. Here’s a quick look at each. Sizing varies, so do look at the specifications.
This lunchbox is great to use on the go as well. After a hike, I hand the children their lunch boxes in the car and drive away. They are able to eat in the car with little to no mess as everything is contained in the Bentgo boxes.
We don’t often purchase plastic items, though these are BPA free. Bentgo does make a stainless steel version. I just find that stainless steel eating trays make me think of prisons and the clanging of metal may be difficult for a sensory sensitive person.
Water bottles
We’ve had the privilege of “testing” several water bottles since my children inevitably lose them or break them. After years of use, I do have a favourite: the Thermos Funtainer.
It comes in a variety of licensed characters, themes, or solid colours. We went with solid colours and allowed the children to add stickers when they had stickers they were itching to stick all over our house. Their water bottle was a good spot for sticky self-expression. Of all the water bottles we tried, this one sealed the best when the straw was inserted correctly. The seal does depend on the clear silicone straw.
Often when 1 part of a bottle breaks, it renders the whole thing useless, especially if it causes leaks. One of my children did chew the straw previously ruining the seal. There are replacement straws and inserts easily purchased as well.
Durability was good and these have lasted us 2-3 years already in counting granted we don’t leave it behind after an adventure.