Going Back to School Mindfully in 2021: What You Need from A to Z

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School starts for my kids in a few days.

And while we collect all the usuals: backpacks, lunch boxes, hand sanitizer… I can’t help but think preparing to go back to school is about more than the supplies. ✏️

Especially this year. 

Some students haven’t been on campus for over a year. Some are going back to school in front of a screen. Some behind a mask.

And all facing the challenge of learning in the midst of uncertainty. 

So this year, maybe more than ever, we need a mindful, compassionate approach to going back to school. ☮️🙏

That’s why I mentally revised my family’s back-to-school checklist.

And in addition to a few of the essentials, this guide includes some underused (and totally free) steps to help our students mindfully return to the classroom. (Organized from A to Z of course!)

Ready to start? Alright. Class is in session!

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A – Assessment 

No, I’m not starting this list with a test! I’m asking you to start your back-to-school shopping and planning with an assessment of your needs. 

What does your student need? What will the school provide? 

Before heading to the store, search the house for everything on your list. You’ll be amazed how much you already have at home. Will it be brand new? No. But reusing what you have saves time, money and is less wasteful.

B- Backpacks

What’s the best backpack for our students? If in good shape, the one you already own. (Reuse and recycle baby!) But if you need to purchase, avoid leather (we’d rather not harm animals for our backpacks), and believe it or not, PVC.

According to Leah Segedie, founder of award-winning consumer activist website Mamavation, “PVC contains dangerous chemical additives including phthalates, lead, cadmium, and/or organotins, which can be toxic to your child’s wellness.” 

So when a friend introduced me to Terra Thread, I was impressed. Not only are their backpacks vegan and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified, they’re also 100% carbon neutral! (And I’m loving the style, too!)

C – Computer

I never thought my elementary kids would need a computer for school. Then virtual learning happened. And here we are. 

Thankfully, our school district loans Chromebooks to every student. 

But whether you’re planning to homeschool, learn virtually or in person, many teachers use Google Classroom to post assignments. And if our students are absent (be it COVID concerns or something else), having access to a computer allows them to complete their work wherever they are.

D – Down Time

For many of us, life slowed down over the last year and a half. And in addition to school starting, so are youth extracurricular activities, events and more. 

Before our kids (and us) get sucked into the whirlwind, create space for down time. 

Watch movies with your student, do some crafts, play outside, or simply chill on the couch. Put your to-do list aside and revel in a slow-paced moment and each other’s company.

E – Earbuds (or Headphones)

If your students use any sort of electronic device to learn, they’ll likely need earbuds or headphones too. 

Some schools provide these, so check with your school before you make a purchase. 

But using headphones creates a peaceful environment for me when my kids decide to simultaneously work at the kitchen table together. It also prevents distractions since it muffles the sounds of their younger brother or me cooking in the kitchen.

F – Food

This fall, my kids will attend school for a full day. They haven’t done that since March of 2020. Which means they can’t raid the pantry on a whim anymore.

So, from powerhouse breakfasts to get them through the day to a fun after-school pick-me-up, food is a big part of our back-to-school shopping. 

We’ll start the morning with oatmeal, walnuts, chia and flax seeds, berries, plant-based milk and a splash of syrup. I’ll pack fruit and a granola bar for a snack. I’ll talk more about lunch below. And for an after-school snack, I’ll make a smoothie alongside some high protein crackers. If you want plant-based ideas to serve your kids, check out what our family eats in a day.

G – Grace

As we head into another year with COVID, it’s important that we have grace. For our students, their teachers and staff, and ourselves. 

Everyone is trying their best with the information they have. And for the most part, everyone has big feels about various parts of the situation we’re in.

Let’s model for our students how to act with grace and understanding that things may not go as planned when school starts. We’ll likely need to have patience and adapt to changes.

H – Hand Sanitizer

You knew this was coming, right? Heck, I packed hand sanitizer in my kids’ lunches before COVID. 

And while most of us are used to the sanitizing gel, the family and I are digging this spray.

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lavender Hand Sanitizer Spray is made up of 4 ingredients: organic fair trade ethyl alcohol, water, organic glycerin, & organic lavender oil. Buh-bye nasty chemicals. And the lavender scent is super calming. Oh, and it’s vegan!

I – Instrumental Music

Look, this school year has the potential to be stressful. For the students and us. Whenever it feels like too much, I put in my earbuds and play some soft, instrumental music in the background. But not just any music. 

I listen to bilateral music to relax and reduce anxiety.

And I made a FREE Best Bilateral Playlist on Spotify you can check out right here. I’s most effective while wearing headphones (the music shifts from one side to the other), but when my kids have trouble sleeping, I skip the headphones and play it through my phone speaker.

J – Journal

Our kids don’t have to love to write to reap the mental health benefits of journaling. Be it art or words, however students enjoy getting their thoughts onto the page can prove fruitful. 

Journaling helps manage anxiety, reduce stress and cope with depression.

Kids don’t need a fancy journal either. The one I’m including is an example to get started, but a notebook full of blank paper works as well. This is their private place to let out their feelings, work through problems and develop ideas, so let them decide how they’d like to journal.

K – Kindness

While it may seem obvious, it’s worth saying: Model kindness around our kids and they’ll be encouraged to do the same. 

It’s often easier to list complaints than compliments. And in the last year and a half, everyone has something to complain about. Especially in the education realm.

So if you see something positive as our students go back to school—be it something your kid accomplished, a decision you like from a teacher or something else—point it out. Help wrap our kids in kindness so they enter the school year with excitement and positivity.

RELATED POST: 14 Random Acts of Kindness: Ways Families Can Spread Love

L – Lunch 

I said earlier I’d elaborate on lunches! A few years ago, I invested in the PlanetBox lunch boxes to cut down on plastic bags. My kids love them. You can find similar stainless steel lunch containers like LunchBots on Amazon.

In addition to using a greener vehicle for your lunches, consider packing an environmentally friendly lunch with more plant-based options.

Pack lunches with legumes, fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts and seeds and more! And consider checking out more quick and tasty vegan lunches for kids (and adults). 

M – Masks Mindfulness 

Yeah, thought I’d go with “masks” here, didn’t you? But, we’ve all got a ton of those. What do we need more of when going back to school in 2021?

Mindfulness. Awareness of our feelings. Our thoughts. And our surroundings. 

When students feel stress or anxiety, gently guide them towards more mindful actions like noticing their breath and tuning into their senses. Consider introducing mindfulness books for kids, going on a mindful walk, or practicing mindfulness and meditation if they are interested. If you’re looking for ways to be more mindful, subscribe to my email list and get this freebie along with more mindfulness tips! 👇👇👇

N – Notes

I’m not talking about post-it notes or notebooks. I’m talking about thoughtful, love-filled notes. To our kids. 

Sure, we make love notes on Valentine’s Day and thankful notes for Thanksgiving, but I also include love notes in my kids’ lunches. 

Again, many of our students are returning to school full day and in person for the first time in over a year. Opening their lunch to find a short “Have a great day, I’m thinking of you!” note from home can help with the transition back to school. 

O – Outdoor Space

Here’s another freebie. Getting outside costs nothing. And while many of the days leading up to the first day of school are spent back-to-school shopping indoors or online, it does a body and mind good to step outside. 

Being outdoors, with the lack of walls and ceilings, is freeing. It helps our struggles seem a little less intense, too. 

Go for a walk, sit near running water, play a game, or enjoy other outdoor activities to lower stress and anxiety as school starts.

P – Presence

This will take some work on our part. It’s overwhelming getting everything ready for school, but try to pause and enjoy the present moment with your child both in these last days of summer and once school starts. 

Turning off distractions and being fully present with our students grants them opportunities to share with us.

Be it their thoughts, feelings, or just plain fun. When we make time for them, we’re gifted with a deeper understanding of how they’re doing.

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Q – Quarantine Plan

So, this one may not be much fun, but in 2021, it’s necessary. We need to be prepared if our kids, or someone who’s been in contact with our kids, is diagnosed with COVID.

Know what your school’s rules are on the matter. Know where to get tested. 

And, make a plan for how your student will learn from home if they have to quarantine. Set up an organized and accessible workspace for at-home learning if you don’t have one already.

R – Read

Whether your student was in school three months ago or a year and a half ago, it’s always fun to read back-to-school books.

Seeing characters return to the classroom, have fun with friends and learn new skills reminds our kids what they have to look forward to this fall.

Some of our favorites are The Kissing Hand, Wonder, and Harry Potter.

S – School Supplies 

Ah, now onto some of the more traditional back-to-school shopping, right? Kinda. Before you buy a ton of school supplies that’ll sit in the drawer unused, remember “A” in this list. 

Assess your actual needs. Reuse what you already have around the house. 

Then, find affordable, environmentally friendly pens, pencils, notebooks, scissors and whatever else is on the back-to-school supplies list.

T – Tranquility

Transitioning from the lazy days of summer to the stiff routines of school can feel like falling into an ice bath. So create space to slow down. 

Work in quiet time. Build tranquil spaces. Allow time for our children to breathe and relax.

Grant students time to adjust. When they come home, take it easy. Gauge what they need before jumping into homework or another activity. If necessary, consider taking a mental health day.

U – Used Books

Whether it’s textbooks or free reading books, buying new can add up! 

The library is your friend guys! So is choosing the “used” book sellers on Amazon or visiting local used book stores.

Even if you own a Kindle Kids or another E-reader, check your library to see if you can check out a book from the library and upload it to your device before you make a purchase.

V – Vitamins

We’re heading into “sick season” guys. Runny noses, coughs, fevers seem to multiply in the fall and winter. 

While vitamins may not prevent sickness, it’ll provide our kids with nutrients to hopefully be at optimal wellness when sickness does strike. 

I love vitamins from the family-owned business MaryRuth Organics. My kids love the taste and I love that they use non-GMO, plant-based and vegan ingredients! Not sure what vitamin is best for you? Take The MaryRuth’s Quiz and receive 15% off your first order.

W – Water Bottles 

While it’s tempting to go for the cute character water bottles, if it’s plastic or single use, try to avoid it. Opt instead for a stainless steel water bottle. 

Not only is it less wasteful and more environmentally friendly, it’ll keep beverages cooler longer in these remaining hot days of summer.

And again, if you already have a water bottle that’s in good shape, keep using that one instead of buying a new one. 

X – Xs + Os

As parents, it’s pretty much our duty to spoil our children with loads of hugs and kisses. But in high stress times, we may rush through those Xs and Os. When that happens, it seems… obligatory. 

We want our kids to feel our love, right? When you hug them farewell at the school gate, or kiss them goodnight after the first days back, pause. 

Look them in their eyes so they see the depth of your love. Notice their warm body in your arms. Their small hands hugging you back. Appreciate the love you have for each other.

Y – You 

Again, this will require some effort on our part parents (and loved ones). Once school starts, we’ll be tempted to rush through homework, make dinner, get to soccer practice or piano lessons, check off bedtime routine and start again tomorrow. 

But how can we truly know how our kids are adjusting when we walk through life like that?

We must make ourselves available. Not all the time. But enough of the time that when they need us, we’re there.

Z – Zzzs 

Don’t mess around with this one. Anyone who’s put kids to bed late and had to wake up early knows behavior and focus suffer with less sleep. 

Make time for a relaxing bedtime routine. Cushion it with some extra time in case kids want to connect with you at the end of their day.

Consider using mindfulness to fall asleep. We often play bedtime meditations from the Calm app to help our kids settle into sleep too.

Closing Thoughts on Going Back to School Mindfully

It’s common for students to feel some stress and anxiety when going back to school. And 2021 is definitely not an exception to that. 

But imagine heading back to school feeling calmer as you plan your new routine.

Imagine feeling more in control when the need to check off your to-do list causes feelings of overwhelm. 

Imagine being in tune with your kid as they enter the school yard, power up the computer, or kiss you from the other side of a mask.

It’s possible guys. 

We have the power to press pause on the distractions. And narrow our focus down to us and our kid. And what they truly need as they return to school.

You, our students and educators are in my thoughts this fall.

Stay mindful, even when your mind’s full, 
~Chelsea