Almost three-quarters of South Africa’s emergent literacy learners cannot read for meaning in their home language by the end of Grade 3. The main reason being that these young learners have weak language skills and lack sufficient vocabulary and grammar knowledge to...
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First African languages bilingual dictionaries for young learners
Almost three-quarters of South Africa’s emergent literacy learners cannot read for meaning in their home language by the end of Grade 3. The main reason being that these young learners have weak language skills and lack sufficient vocabulary and grammar knowledge to...
The Ultimate Back to School Checklist (Covid-19 edition)
* This post is sponsored by CNA.
The 2021 school year may be filled with uncertainty and with our own grade 1 kicking off her formal education journey my heart has many moments of despair BUT one thing 2020 has taught us is that we CAN and WILL get through whatever the next 12 months may bring (and being prepared always helps). That’s why I’ve teamed up with CNA in putting together a series of “Back to School” posts filled with the best parenting hacks, tips, tricks, checklists and FREE PRINTABLES sure to prove helpful whether your little one goes to school full-time, part-time or you’ve chosen to home-school. So, let’s jump right into it with our “Ultimate Back to School Checklist – Covid-19 edition”.
CLICK HERE to download “The Ultimate Back to school checklist”
A few important things to remember as you work your way through your Back to School Checklist
3 weeks before school starts…
Labels, labels, labels! You can never have enough, especially when it comes to clothing labels for preschoolers. Everything needs to be labeled, down to the last tiny pair of undies and socks!
This year Labels 4 School has us covered with their amazing variety of quality labels. And to help you stretch every penny of January, we have a discount code to share:
“MARI15“
gets you 15% off your entire order. (Valid till the 31st of January 2021 and applicable to the entire online store.)
I would recommend the following labels:
- IRON-ON CLOTHING LABELS: At least 40 for preschoolers, even more considering you’ll possibly be labelling pillows and blankets too. Primary school kids can do with less but keep in mind, you’ll be labelling more than just school uniforms. Extracurricular activities usually have their own set of clothes. Remember to add a name, surname and phone number to all clothing labels. And label those face masks too!
- BAG TAGS: A set of 2 is ideal. One for school bags and the other for sports bags.
- SHOE LABELS: Shoes seem to run away from little feet so don’t forget to label every single pair.
- MULTI-PURPOSE LABELS: 100 waterproof, dishwasher safe and microwave resistant labels to use on anything from lunch boxes and water bottles to stationery and sports equipment.
These are the 4 essential, must-haves but Labels 4 School offers many more label options for pencils and other tricky items too as well as budget, starter and colour pack combos. Visit their online store at www.labels4school.co.za and order your labels TODAY! (Printing & production generally takes 3-5 working days, however, during busy periods such as January, printing lead time may be between 5-8 working days.)
Now to BOOST your little one’s immunity! I feel like this year vitamins aren’t optional and I’m relying on the support and advice of 4 mom docs I have come to trust over the past year. Follow @wholehealthily, @momdoc_sa, @ndibambe and @dr.nadia.khan on Instagram for practical info on how to keep our kids safe.
Doctor Linda von Zeuner, from Whole Healthily Blog, reminded us that supplements won’t prevent Covid-19 but ensuring your little one doesn’t suffer from any deficiencies will help their bodies stay strong and fight a virus. She recommends a boost of Vit C, D, Zinplex and Echinacea.
Recommended daily dose in a child without any known insufficiencies are:
- Vit C: 8-10 mg/kg per day
- Zinc: 5-20 mg depending on the age of the child
- Vit D: 400 IU <1 year, 800 IU 1-5 years en 1000 IU 5+years.
Need a family planner? Download ours for FREE HERE.
2 weeks before school starts…
One of the biggest tasks of the new school year has to be stocking up on school supplies! Stationary, plastic book covers, school bags, lunchboxes and now FACE MASKS and HAND SANITISER too!
And for as long as I can remember, CNA has been our one-stop, “Back to School” shop. Even when I was a child myself! The thought of school may not have excited me BUT to this day I can’t resist a brand new eraser, sharp Staedtler HB pencil, a pretty pastel highlighter or a fresh exam pad… They also sell a great selection of books, text books and homeschool resources for young learners PLUS kids face masks.
A few essential we got for school and our homework station:
* CLICK HERE the full CNA Back to School product catalog and be sure to checkout all their amazing promotions and competitions too.
1 week before school starts…
Read books about the 1st day of school. Stories are fantastic conversation starters and can be very useful in preparing your little one for what’s to come. Include stories about “what an average school day looks like”, “emotions experienced at school”, “conflict resolution”, “separation anxiety” and even picture books too. Let your child ask questions, discuss how their school experience may be similar or different. Read these books over and over again.
We have also included a special “extra” to our reading list this year…
Be a Virus Warrior! A Guide to Keeping Healthy – Alix Wood
This cute book explains what a virus is (including the coronavirus), how to combat it, and how to keep ourselves and those close to us safe. Practical tips include effective hand washing, mask-wearing and how to stay germ-free. We don’t need to hide the realities of Covid-19 from our kids. They too benefit from an honest, age-appropriate understanding of what we are facing.
* This book is available in English and Afrikaans from most leading bookstores nationwide.
Do a little count down! This probably only applies to younger kids but so far our girls have always enjoyed counting down the days till they meet their new teachers and see their friends. We keep it simple with a quick hand-drawn calendar and a few stickers.
Remember to “lunchbox-plan”! Make a list of what’s needed. Prep a few snacks for the freezer and if the kids are old enough, get them to lend a hand. For healthy lunch ideas, be sure to check out our post on EVERYDAY NUTRITION: A HEALTHY LUNCHBOX FOR A HEALTHY MIND (and remember to download and print the “Lunchbox Cheat Sheet” too – It will make packing school lunches a breeze).
The day before…
Enjoy the last day of vacation. Let the kids sleep in late and enjoy an extra bit of screen time while you double-check final school arrangements and put the camera on charge. Also, remember to get the photo props ready!
A few ideas for fun 1st-day photos:
- Letterboards are a classic. Curated sells a large variety of boards and accessories.
- A cute, inexpensive option is writing on an A4 size chalkboard.
- Pinterest is also full of FREE 1st DAY OF SCHOOL PRINTABLES.
- Our favourite however is our School Years Milestone board from Nectar & Ink.
On the 1st day of school…
You have done all you can! Now it’s time to stop and take in this special moment. Your little one is starting a new chapter in their school years… You have prepared them as best you can even though none of us know what this year might bring.
Be present.
Be excited.
Be positive.
Believe in your child’s ability to adapt, learn, grow and flourish.
GIVEAWAY CLOSED – CONGRATULATIONS Kelly Jennings!
CNA wants to help one lucky mama get “Back to School” ready with a stationery hamper worth over R400!
How to enter:
- Simply leave us a comment HERE just saying hi!
- OPTIONAL: Follow CNA on Facebook – CNAAfrica and Instagram – @CNA_Africa
COMPETITION RULES:
- Only entries via comments left below will be considered.
- Competition is only open to South African residents residing in South Africa.
- The winner must be 18+ years old.
- This competition closes on the 31st of January 2021.
- The winner is picked at random and announced after the 31st of January 2021.
- This prize is not exchangeable or refundable.
- Please enter valid email and contact info. If we can not get hold of you within 48 hours a new winner will be picked.
- CNA will be in touch and take responsibility for delivering the prize to the winner.
REMEMBER: Sharing is caring so be sure to share this Back to School checklist with a friend and make the 2021 school year easier for all.
Simply click on any of the SOCIAL SHARE buttons below.
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Followed on fb and insta. This is an amazing giveaway
Hi
Followed on FB and INSTA. I am in Matric this year and it will be perfect if I was blessed with this amazing Hamper. I turn 20 this year 🙈
Amazing giveaway. Fingers crossed its my daughter’s first year of school
You always have the most amazing checklists and comprehensive plans! Thank you!!
Hi
Would love this so much.
It would be such a blessing.
Hi
Hi! 🖍️✏️📚📒📔
Hi
I always take a first day photo, but not always a last day. I must try to remember that one 😊
Awesome giveaway
Following on all platforms. Thank you for the opportunity to win this awesome prize.
😊🥳 Awesome giveaway!
Hi
Hi 😉
Hi!
What an amazing giveaway! 💛
Hi😊
Would love to win this – holding thumbs!
Hi,
followed all platforms. Love to win for my grandchildren please 🙏
Would be a super way to start the year
Hi…
Amazing Checklist, helped me a lot as this is my first child officially in big school:)
This would be a great addition to our homeschooling classroom!
My son is going to grade 2..would love to win this for him.
I am in Matric this year and I am feeling so overwhelmed with all that is going on and now schools are starting 2 weeks later. This is so stressful, I definitely need a pick me up during this trying times.
This was to be a very special year. My lil one would have jpined her older sister in baby class at playschool. But thanks to covid we have not even sent back the older one to her class let alone starting the younger one. This will be a special giveaway if at all i get it. For my older there might be another lockdown birthday coming up in march. Really hoping things get better soon.
Hi
Hi
Thanks for the help and competition.
What an awesome giveaway ❤️
Hey, welcome back hope your holiday was relaxing and filled your love tank! Ready for 2021
Thanks for the amazing checklist and ideas.. This is an awesome giveaway!!
Hi!
Totally love this. Such a cool post.
Thank you for all the wonderful ideas
xx
hi!
Hi!
Hi thank you for the opportunity to win this amazing prize
Hello 👋 hi 👋
This is an amazing giveaway especially for a single mom 🤞
Thanks so much for putting this together and the useful tips and advice
Thanks for this giveaway. I have bought all my labels 🙂
Hi
Hi
🤞🤞🤞
Hi
Hi…Amazing Giveaway….Holding Thumbs!
Hi, awesome giveaway!
Hi
Would love to win ☺️
Can’t wait for back to school as my second princess will be starting grade R and my eldest will be in grade 2…
Hi, I’d love to win this ❤️
Hi ML
So good to finally hear from you again. Hope you ready for the new year! Can’t wait to see what you have planned
Awesome giveaway!!!🤞🤞🤞
Hi
Hi
hi from the other side @eonlineza
Altyd oulike raad dankie vriendin xx
Hi
Thank you for the excellent to-do-list.
Can do with this giveaway, so fingers crossed.
Great advise
Awesome give away.
Allready received my labels4school..
HI!
What a lovely giveaway…. I am a sucker for stationery
Amazing post – mom goals! Would love to win this for my little one!
Amazing post. Was to be a special year as my younger would have joined the older at playschool and my 1st born was so excited to have her baby sister in the baby class. Now lets see if that really comes true or not. Fingers crossed to win this for my babies.
Hi
Hi,
All steps followed,
Shared too
I am in desperate need of a pick me up, I am feeling so overwhelmed starting Matric this year and now schools are going back 2 weeks late.
A wonderful blog post, and a great giveaway!
This is amazing! ML, you are simply wonderful!
Thank you for such detailed and passionate information.
x
Hi thank you both for such a lovely giveaway. Stay safe
Hi
Hi!
LOVE this checklist my ML!!
Can’t believe our babies are heading back to school – and Grade 1! We are absolutely loving our Labels4School labels and bags, and I’m off to order our H&G kiddies masks now too x
Yes she can’t wait to be a grade 2, Thank you for the checklist, everything is so perfect,
Stay safe, mask up.
Such an amazing giveaway with which one can get organised, wow!
Hi 🙋🏻♀️ this would be an awesome win for my kiddies to use at their home homework station ❤️
Hi, i would like to win this awesome giveaway for my baby.
Hi 🙋🏻♀️ this would be an awesome win for my kiddies to use at their home homework station ❤️
hi!
2021 please be a good one… having a Gr8..GR6..GR4 and now also a pre schooler this would be an amazing one to win 😍
Hi!
Such a lovely giveaway! Great start to 2021!
Great read!! 🤩 Thanks Mari!
Good luck for the new year! 🌺
Ek hou duim vas vir hierdie kompetisie!
Hi!
Hey!! Excited to have you back on the gram! And excited for what 2021 holds!
Hi! So happy you back, missed your content! Keeping fingers crossed 🤞
Hey gorgeous mamma. Absolutely love these tips! It’s my daughter’s first day of school ever so I’m one of those mom’s needing all the tips I can get. Thank you for making the process simpler 🙂
What an amazing giveaway! Thank you for spoiling us with this.
Thanks for an awesome giveaway!🥳
Hi
Really amazing advice and tips for back to school, thank you.
The CNA voucher would be very useful and a spoil!
Following on Insta
Hi.
Hi. Thanks for the amazing giveaway