Parents, Are Your Children Ready for School?

By Laurie Hunter

August 9, 2025

When preparing for a new school year, students and parents often overlook some of the most essential school supplies—tools that go beyond pencils and notebooks. Preparing children, especially those with learning differences such as dyslexia, autism, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, requires a bit of extra thought and planning.

With the right tools and strategies in place, you and your child can begin the school year feeling organized, supported, and confident.

Printer
Today, most school assignments are completed by students digitally. No need for papers and pencils, right? No. Here’s why: Even though many assignments will be turned in electronically, students will have to print out reference material (i.e., periodic table, maps for History, and Spanish vocabulary). Having a hard copy of reference materials will help most students accurately complete their digital assignments. Toggling back and forth, referring to maps, the periodic table, and reading passages (to answer comprehension questions) can fatigue most students with learning differences. Many will stop referring back and answer incorrectly, and hence learn incorrect information. Think of the consequences when students “learn” misinformation.

Expect to print math assignments, especially multi-step math problems. Most math assignments require writing multiple steps to get the correct answer. If math is not printed out, “careless” errors will be made.

Also, printed information like math assignments, reading passages, study guides, and rubrics can improve the efficiency of learning, and hence improve their grades, morale, and confidence. Printed information also gives students an opportunity to step away from the computer, which can prevent or alleviate fatigue, eye strain, poor circulation, and poor posture.

Elementary school children must practice handwriting daily. I have serious reservations about elementary teachers who do not provide opportunities for their students to practice written expression and handwriting on a daily basis. No matter how digital we become, handwriting is a life skill.

Bookshelf or Storage Cart
If your child is organized, then a folder, binder, or file folder for each subject might be good enough. Most high school students will be able to keep all their paperwork in their respective binders.

However, for students who struggle with organization, I highly recommend clearing a couple of shelves on a bookshelf in their room. Here’s why: Most students will have 7 or 8 subjects. Many assignments will be done electronically. As noted earlier, students will have to print out reference material, reading passages, study guides, rubrics, and completed assignments. That’s why I recommend that all my students devote bookshelves to store their school materials. If your child does not have a bookshelf, consider buying a rolling storage cart that has five levels (for Science, Social Studies, Math, English, and Electives). A vertical file holder on the desk or the wall is an option if space is limited.

Charging Station Near Deskspace
Time to do homework, but oh no! They can’t! Why not? Their battery is at 3% and will cut off before your student sends the submit button. Best to make sure the laptop/tablet/phone is charged every night and ready for the following day.

Cork Board and Dry-Erase Board
Important assignments can be pinned on a corkboard, and students can write test dates, project dates, and to-dos on the dry-erase boards.

Wall Calendar
Is there a calendar in your child’s room? If not, invest in one. Students must have a wall or desk calendar of some sort, even if they use an electronic calendar. Also, print out the school district’s calendar with dates of grading periods and holidays.

Cell Phone Calendar App
Model to your children how they can benefit from using technology to set timers, alerts, and alarms for tests, project due dates, and events for Band, Athletics, etc.

Planner
If your children are not ready for using a calendar app, let them select their own agenda book.

Desk and Supplies
Make sure their desk is clean with plenty of space for books, papers, and supplies:
Sharpened pencils and map colors, sharpener, erasers, stapler, white-out, calculator, ruler, squishy stress ball(s)

Clipboard
A clipboard or a lap desk will help when students want a break from studying at their desks.

Screen Filter F.lux Glasses
Some students may need a break from the computer screen. Some people have had good results with screen filter f.lux glasses, which take out blue light. There aren’t a lot of studies that prove these glasses work for everyone. However, multiple people have shared with me how these types of glasses have helped them. They are not all created equal, so you have to do your research to find quality glasses that filter the light.

Earbuds or Earphones with a Mic
During the pandemic, students worked in online classrooms on their computers. In the event we would ever need to return to online classrooms, make sure your child has earphones and a mic. If your child cannot be heard by their teachers, it will be a significant disadvantage to your child. During the pandemic, it was difficult for me to hear my students who worked on laptops and tablets. Earbuds and headsets improved our interactions and engagement in our online classroom.

I recommend investing in comfortable earbuds or earphones with a mic. Earbuds/earphones with a mic can make a significant positive impact on improving students’ interactions and connections with their teachers. This will help them stay focused and engaged because they are able to hear their teachers and their teachers will be able to hear them during lectures, Q&A, and when siblings (and you) are making noises nearby.

You may want to coach your child on how to use the camera, headphones, and mic, along with anticipating how they can reduce background noises and develop a plan for when it cannot be avoided.

Collaboration
Collaboration between parents and teachers will be essential. Parents with children who have learning differences, don’t forget to email a Parent Letter to your teacher when school begins. Include any accommodations that you feel will help your child be successful.

Best to all the students, parents, and teachers! May we all have a successful year!

~Laurie Hunter