10 things that will be useful for a preschooler

Preschooler! How proud that sounds. Our little toddler has just started an important stage in his life. During his stay in kindergarten, he will be away from his parents for longer than usual, as well as meetings with a larger group of peers. First friendships and kindergarten "loves". But apart from positive emotions and events, there may also be a longing ... for home. 

During this time, the child will need some items that will not only make it easier to leave the home environment and parents, but also improve the comfort of the toddler's functioning outside the home - where everything was always at hand. In the article, we list gadgets for preschoolers that cannot be omitted when creating a list of things for kindergarten.

Gadgets for preschoolers, or kindergarten things list  

As a parent, you want your child to be as well prepared as possible for a stay outside the home - regardless of whether it is about leaving the child with friends for the night, for a weekend with the family, or bringing the child to ... kindergarten. The toddler, in the excitement of preparations for the new stage of education, has certainly persuaded you to buy beautiful, colored pencils or felt-tip pens. He will also receive his pencil case, perhaps a thermos for tea ...

However, the list of things for kindergarten may also include less obvious items. The ones you won't necessarily think about, and which can be a nice gadget for a preschooler. The list that we have prepared for you will include both those less, but also more popular items, which, however, are worth discussing due to the frequent dilemmas of parents related to their purchase. To work!

Backpack: the basic equipment for a preschooler

The first product that we put on the list of things for kindergarten is, of course, the backpack. When thinking about choosing the right article for our preschooler, the first thing that comes to mind is the golden mean. When buying, we have to consider many issues that should not be underestimated.

Appropriate size, structure, material and quality of workmanship, as well as the cut and proper adjustment to the height and posture of our child. And of course - in addition to the above-mentioned features, the product should meet the tastes of our soul. The more that a well-chosen backpack can be a great incentive for a child to go to kindergarten.

Take it easy - there is a wide selection of products on the market, including those with a positive opinion from independent scientific and research institutions, where they are tested for general safety and health of the youngest.

In order to purchase an article suitable for our preschooler, several aspects must be taken into account:

• Size - the backpack should not be heavy and have too much space for a small child. Let's consider whether the toddler will carry lunch in his backpack, or whether we will only put small gadgets in it for the preschooler;
• Construction - as we have already mentioned, the backpack should be adjusted to the size of our child;
• functionality - outside compartments and pockets may be useful, where the child will be able to hide their treasures;
• Versatility and durability - it is also important whether the backpack is to be useful for the child at a later stage of their education and for trips with their parents. In this case, a product made of waterproof, easy-to-clean material with adjustable buckles (thanks to which we can adjust the backpack to the child's height) will work well.

The backpack can definitely be treated as a gadget for a preschooler, and even a favorite companion when separating from parents. Especially when its shape resembles a soft toy. Models with an application depicting your favorite character from a fairy tale or a children's movie are also great. Before we make a purchase, let's set together with the child his expectations of the dream backpack.

Dressing plasters for children: to wipe tears!

Perhaps at first it will not occur to you to throw in a bandage for children into a backpack you have bought for you. However, it is worth thinking about it. Each of us is exposed to various types of injuries. Especially the little ones whose psychomotor skills are still developing. As a result, children are less careful and, at the same time, curious about the world and willing to play. It is easy here for minor cuts or abrasions.

For a young child, any such unpleasant event is associated with stress. It is worth having at hand such cheerful slices that not only meet all safety requirements, but are also designed with the youngest in mind. Slices for children come in versions with favorite characters from fairy tales, colorful patterns. They can also imitate a tattoo. As a result, they distract the baby from being hurt.

What should patches for children look like? In addition to appearance, the slices should be:

• made of safe, hypoallergenic materials;
• flexible, durable and waterproof - so that they stay on the skin all day long;
• plasters should provide airflow and should not stick to the wound.

Remember that bandaging plasters for children are not only a cheerful gadget for a preschooler. Above all - play the role of securing the sustained injury (cuts, abrasions) against contamination and further mechanical damage. And most importantly - let's not forget about the correct sequence of actions when dressing the wound. Before we move on to sticking the slice - the wound should be properly disinfected! But you know very well as responsible parents.

Shoes: to make every step taken by a preschooler pleasant

The obligatory item on the list of things for kindergarten are, of course, shoes! We must be aware that the footwear we buy, the toddler will spend several hours a day - playing, running, jumping or performing other pirouettes. Shoes must therefore be exceptionally well selected - not only in terms of size, but also other features that cannot be ignored. What to pay attention to?

• Ease of donning - these shoes will be worn much more often than other shoes. It is good to take this aspect into account. A convenient solution in this case is to buy Velcro or slip-on shoes, without fastening - thanks to which the problem of tying and tangling of the laces disappears.
• The right size - the shoes should stay well on the child's feet, ensuring stability during everyday activities in kindergarten. You can read more about how to choose the right size of shoes on our website website.

However, we suggest that due to the fact that our preschooler is constantly growing, it is worth considering the purchase of shoes with an insole 1 cm larger than the measured child's foot.

• Flexible, abrasion-resistant sole - plays a very important role. It is worth buying shoes with non-slip soles, which will provide your child with greater stability and protect them from the risk of falling on slippery surfaces. The sole should not be too heavy, so that a longer time spent in shoes does not cause problems for the child.
• Comfort and convenience - in kindergarten shoes, the child should feel like a second skin. Shoes must provide adequate support for the heel without obstructing movement. When choosing shoes, remember about the proper development of the child's foot.
• Quality of materials - shoes should be made of breathable, high-quality materials.

A cuddly blanket with a mascot: two in one

A blanket - a cuddly toy with a mascot - may be a non-obvious, but very useful gadget for a preschooler. Its main purpose is to tuck babies in a crib.

However, for a little soul, entering a new stage of life, separation from parents and home can be a difficult experience. At such moments, it is good for the child to have something familiar with him, associated with love and a sense of security, smelling of home. And this is where a cuddly blanket with a mascot can be used.

It's a cool, functional solution. The child can cuddle up to the soft mascot. On the other hand, the blanket still serves as a cover - which is perfect for post-dinner naps in kindergarten. For a child, such a cuddly toy can be the best friend and support in kindergarten. Especially at worst times, when the longing for home and parents will be extremely painful.

A bottle of water: don't forget to irrigate

We all realize how important - both from the biological and physiological point of view - water functions in our lives. It is an indispensable element of the daily diet, which should be supplied to the body on a regular basis in the right amount. That is why it is important to develop a healthy habit of drinking water in our children from an early age. A bottle of water thrown into a backpack can help. Such in a smaller capacity, so that the child could easily take it with him.

A child needs 10 to 15% of his body weight for water.

Our preschooler should always have a bottle of water in sight. Such a procedure will help to develop a healthy habit of drinking water regularly. And if it doesn't help, it certainly won't hurt. The child, having a bottle of water with them, will be aware that they can reach for it at any time.

A good way to encourage your toddler to drink water is to buy a bottle dedicated to children. One with a label created under the license of fairy tales or children's films. To encourage your toddler to drink the purchased water, we can ask him for help in choosing a water bottle in the store.

Let us not forget, of course, that the habit of drinking water, the child should take out of the house - a place where the parents are closely watched over the toddler. Also when it comes to maintaining an adequate level of hydration - the child should see us as a role model.

By encouraging your toddler to drink water, we should drink it ourselves regularly. A good example is the key to success in this case.

Watch as a gadget for a preschooler: Time starts to matter

A watch will, of course, be a very useful and symbolic gadget for a preschooler. Going to kindergarten begins a new stage in a child's life, which can be sealed with the purchase of the first watch. During this period, the toddler begins to understand - what is the concept of time. Thanks to the new device on the handle, he will also be able to start learning to read the time, and later - also to control the time himself. This is definitely a big step towards adulthood!

What to look for when buying a watch? 

• Clock face - in order for the child to learn how to read the time without any problems, there should be properly sized, legible numbers on the dial. The child should also easily distinguish the tips from each other - preferably they should be of different thickness, length and color. Then there will be no doubt which of them indicates the hours and which the minutes.
• Belt material - can be made of silicone, leather or webbing. It is important that the skin has air access in contact with the strap. The material of the strap should be safe for children, without any substances that could potentially sensitize the child.
• Design - nothing will encourage a toddler to wear a watch and learn to read the time on its dial, more than a design created with children in mind. The stores offer models with both heroes of fairy tales and children's films, as well as sets with interchangeable straps in various colors, patterns, with glitter, or with a transparent dial revealing the watch mechanism.
• Wood resistance and durability - as we know, children spend most of the day moving, performing a number of activities. Some of them come into contact with water. It is good to take this into account when buying a watch and instead of checking whether the child removes the device from the handle in contact with water, we should choose a waterproof watch. The shield, on the other hand, should be scratch-resistant.

Towel: item necessary for kindergarten things

A towel is undoubtedly a must-have on the list of things for kindergarten. And here it is worth trying, because the more the child likes the towel, the more carefully and willingly it will take care of hygiene in the kindergarten. And as we know washing hands is another habit that should definitely be developed in a child from an early age. Fortunately, the shops don't disappoint this time, with a wide selection of towels. Also for small children. What is worth paying attention to?

• stuff - it is best to choose natural fabrics that will be much more absorbent. Most often, our choice is cotton and bamboo towels. These fabrics are not only absorbent, but also do not sensitize and do not cause chafing. Cotton towels are strong and resilient, but can become rough after a few washes, unlike those made of bamboo fiber, which not only absorb moisture well, but also stay soft for longer.
• Size - the nursery towel will be used mainly for drying the hands. For this reason, it is better to buy a small towel, which will be much more comfortable and which the child will not drag along the ground. The popular dimensions are: 30 × 30 cm, 30 × 50 cm and 40 × 60 cm.
• Appearance - towels come in a variety of colors and patterns. Like most things intended for children, also in this case - we can buy towels under the license of fairy tales and films for children. This will certainly make the towel look more attractive in the eyes of the child. In addition, it will be an incentive for the toddler to take care of the hygiene of hands in the kindergarten.
• Personalization - we have to take into account that there will be a lot of children in the preschool group and the towels can simply be wrong. Especially those with a similar appearance or color. A nice gadget for a preschooler is, for example, a towel with the child's name embroidered on it, or additional patches, e.g. in the form of teddy bear's ears.
• Quantity - as you know, the towel will get dirty, so you need to wash it often. We advise that it will be most convenient to have two towels, which the child will take to the kindergarten for a change. Thanks to this, we will avoid the problem of a sudden need to replace the towel with a freshly washed one.

It is worth remembering that before the first use, the towel should be properly disinfected - that is, washed and ironed.

Bedding: a substitute for home in the big world

In some kindergartens, naps are included in the schedule. It is worth verifying it carefully, because when completing the list of things for kindergarten, it may turn out that we are missing ... bedding for the child. And not just any one, but the one that the toddler will cuddle up with while away from home. So the purchase should be well thought out.

In fact, it all depends on the facility in question. Each place may have its own requirements for the equipment of a preschooler.

In addition to the obvious - paying attention to the size and fabric of the bedding, we must also take into account its appearance. The child should definitely like it. This should not be a problem, because now the choice is really large and we will certainly find bedding with the hero of a favorite fairy tale, movie, or an interesting children's pattern that will appeal to a freshly baked preschooler. Ideally, involve your toddler in the search for the perfect bedding, guided by his tastes. Your child will feel better knowing that their voice has been taken into account during the purchase.

And one more thing! Ideally, the toddler should also spend a few nights in the selected bedding before going to kindergarten, while staying at home. Thanks to this substitute for home, the child will not feel so unfamiliar in kindergarten.

Wooden educational board: timeless a gadget for a preschooler

Laptop, tablet, smartphone? Undoubtedly, nowadays they are the leading gadgets that children like to play with and which they most eagerly reach for. However, will they be a good choice for a preschooler? Wooden educational boards are a timeless and at the same time supporting child's development. They come in various forms and their main purpose - as the name suggests, is learning through play. We can meet boards that help in learning the alphabet or numbers, introducing the child to the world of plants and animals. The choice is wide and depends on the imagination of the parent.

Before we choose a product for our child, let's verify that:

• it has the appropriate certificates and approvals that will guarantee the functional and durability features of the product;
• let's also check the exact age of the product;
• the product is safe in terms of its physical characteristics (no sharp ends, corners and small elements - inadequate to the child's age).

It is best to choose an assortment of a trusted manufacturer. One for which we are sure that it has the appropriate approvals and certificates.

Desk: It's time to start collecting treasures in one place

Starting kindergarten education is a new stage in life for a child. In addition to the aforementioned watch, it will be useful to reorganize the space in the child's room. From now on, you will need crayons, felt-tip pens and markers much more often. For sure there will be a few new books and a whole mountain of drawings by our little artist.

Thanks to the purchase of a desk, we will get an additional place where we will be able to store all the gadgets and other things from the list for preschoolers. Thanks to this, we will avoid clutter and the space will be organized. For such a change, not only the child will be grateful to us, but we ourselves will feel a significant difference.

Kindergarten things list: difficult choices and security

Parents, when completing the list of items for kindergarten, you will often find products that deserve the name of real gadgets for a preschooler. In the heat of shopping, however, do not forget about security. Read the labels carefully, check whether the products have the appropriate certificates and approvals.

Opinions of independent scientific and research units come to the rescue here. If you find it difficult to search for safe things for a preschooler, choose products that have undergone thorough tests - both in terms of general safety, health and development, as well as suitability for everyday use.

Such public institutions include, among others Institute of Mother and Child, whose positive opinion guarantees that the product is not only bezpieczny for your cheek in terms of the quality of workmanship and the materials used, but also supports its harmonious development.