Back to school essentials for 2020

Keep that 'unschooling' mentality - even when they're back at school

If your kids are practically feral after all of these unstructured months, you're not alone. Going back to school will provide children with much-needed mental health benefits, whether those are from socialising with their peers, having a routine again or not having their parents attempting to teach them long division. However, we did discover certain things about our children by letting them 'school themselves' a bit these past several months: one child is a keen cook, aged two, another is obsessed by musicals, especially if they tell the story of a moment in history. Giving our children an opportunity to be bored, and to discover new interests they're passionate about - instead of pushing them from one activity to the next - is one lockdown lesson we'll be holding onto.

Prepare the kids for school to look different

There is a lot of uncertainty about what school will be like when kids return - and it most certainly won't look like it did last September, or even over the summer, when some schools let small groups in: teachers in masks, children in masks potentially, one-way systems, extra hygiene measures, teacher swaps if one suddenly needs to shelter due to exposure... we can't control what the rules will be, but we can discuss the matter with our little ones ahead of time to prepare them and explain that these new measures may seem strict, but are in fact designed to protect them.

Photo: Macau Photo Agency/Unsplash

Ease them off the technology - slowly

While the kids definitely accelerated their technology use from practically zero to complete expert/addict (depending on how you look at it) over the lockdown period, it wasn't all bad. Roblox let classmates socialise, uniting them through online gaming, while Outschool put kids from different countries in the same virtual classroom, teaching them everything from Greek myths and monsters to feminism through pop culture. Confession: we've enrolled two of our kids in Outschool evening classes this term, just because the kids loved them so much through lockdown. Parents are also considering the options of tutors - not because they're doing the panicky London thing, but because they've realised that sanity and trying to teach your child about fronted adverbials is not a winning combo. We've rounded up fantastic online - and in-person - tutoring resources here.

Keep family movie nights going with Enola Holmes on Netflix

We are unbelievably excited to see Millie Bobby Brown return to our screens as Sherlock's spunky little sister, Enola, in the new Netflix movie, Enola Holmes, based on Nancy Springer's bestselling book series. It's just the sort of empowering, witty, feminist-y television we've been loving, and it also stars Henry Cavill and Sam Claflin. If you're looking for another tween-friendly Netflix series, The Babysitters' Club, also on Netflix, will give you that shiny, happy feeling - and may even encourage an entrepreneurial spirit in the kiddos.

It's all about the school supplies

Making a trip to the purveyor of the most coveted school stationery supplies on the planet, Smiggle, makes us feel like normality has returned. We're feeling nostalgic for the pop-out pencil cases of our youth, which combine a calculator, sharpener, pencil slots... and then some. The bolder and louder, the better - we need some brightness in our lives.

Expand your literary horizons

We've spent the past several months in a sea of books with our children, and made a conscious effort to show them worlds and experiences dissimilar to their own (our eldest absolutely loved Addie's story in Elle McNicoll's debut, A Kind of Spark). For younger readers, Clean Up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola is fun, spunky and encourages climate-awareness in little ones. If you haven't read our interview with these two rising young talents in children's publishing, don't miss it.

Help them to be mindful

Phonics, schmonics - our main concern for our kids this academic year is feeling safe, happy and adaptable. After a tricky few months, prioritising their mental health is number one in our books, whether it's by giving them a gratitude journal, doing some yoga and meditation together or spending 10 mins a day with them on our current obsession, iGROWco cards, from mindset coaches Annabel Zicker and Joy Marchese. These positive affirmation cards connect children to their feelings, encouraging resilience and candid conversations about emotions.

Visit a museum again

It's been ages since we've set foot in one of London's storied cultural institutions, so we're excited that museums around the city are starting to open their doors. The London Transport Museum is re-opening on September 7, and annual pass holders will have their passes extended for an extra five months. Older kids may be interested in checking out The Postal Museum - still shut but open to book in for exclusive underground walks, where kids 12 and up can explore the original tunnels, tracks and platforms of London's 100-year-old postal railways.

Buy sustainable off-duty wear

The COVID-19 pandemic isn't the only crisis our children are stressing about: the need for disposable cups in the name of safety means we're now back to fighting the fight against single-use plastic. Back to school shopping is never just about the uniform and stationery - especially when you realise your child has grown out of everything in their wardrobe. Which is why we were delighted to discover Pangaia, a truly fabulous sustainable clothing brand that makes basics - tees, hoodies, trackie bottoms - in a rainbow of colours, made from innovative fabrics like seaweed fibre and organic cotton, so they require less washing, too. You'll find kids' and adult sizes, as well as teen-friendly oversized and cropped pieces.

Get your theatre fix through the Unicorn's Roald Dahl live-stream

It's no secret that during lockdown, culture via a screen was a lifeline. Until we're more comfortable with venturing out and about, we see no reason not to keep enjoying the amazing creative spectacles online. The Unicorn Theatre is streaming an online storytelling session of Roald Dahl favourite, The Twits, starring Martina Laird and Zubin Varla and directed by Ned Bennett. We can't think of a lovelier way to be welcomed back to school.

Spruce up their room

If the kids are pushing for a room makeover ahead of school, check out Mustard Made, a super-cute locker brand that adds a pop of colour to your kid's room. Who wouldn't want a mini locker as a nightstand?

Invest in backpacks that give back

Kids in school uniform have limited opportunities for self-expression, which is why a functional AND fashionable backpack is so key. We've found one better: US brand STATE bags, available at SMALLable, come in cool colours and metallic finishes, have convenient pockets to help kids get organised - and they help children in need. For each bag sold, STATE donates a fully stocked backpack to a child who doesn't have one, sheds light on social injustices and helps to support other charities with similar aims. Here's one lesson the kids didn't need to learn in school: how crucial helping others, especially in times of global crisis, really is.