Back to School: Teacher Edition
While school doesn’t start for my NYC kiddos for another month, it’s “Back to School” time for much of the country, and that puts many of us in one of these categories: Teacher, Parent, or Parent who is also a Teacher. Third Category People, I am sending you a virtual “you can do it,” because that’s a tough gig. As schools and families begin to get back into their rhythms, we thought it would be helpful to offer some insight on what teachers say they’d love for their classrooms. We had teachers weigh in via Instagram on what they’d spend money on if they had it, and what they would like to receive as gifts/support from parents this year, and here’s what they said:
Cozy rugs and floor seating
Particularly for preschool and early elementary, kids and teachers spend a lot of time playing and learning on the floor. I know for my kids, “rug time” has been some of their favorite time in the classroom, so wouldn’t it be nice to have a cute and cozy new rug? This adorable rug is super affordable, ads a cute (but not overstimulating) flare to the classroom, and is MACHINE WASHABLE. I also love the idea of some colorful floor pillows to add an extra bit of cozy to a reading corner.
Books and book storage
We’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but let’s be honest…we all do it. That’s why bookshelves like this can be helpful for kiddos during reading time, especially those who aren’t old enough to read and are truly picking their book entirely by what it looks like. The neutral color of the shelf will tie in nicely with any classroom decor, and help your child’s teacher keep a tidy and accessible library. Speaking of library, why not consider adding to your classroom’s library with a new copy of some of these great books:
Blocks
Open-ended toys are great for the classroom not only because they encourage creativity and freedom in play, but also because they can do multiple jobs, meaning fewer toys to clutter the classroom. These Keva blocks could double as counting sticks for early elementary students, and Magna-Tiles could help younger students master their shapes and colors. Any time one item can do multiple jobs, it’s always going to be a House Peace favorite.
As with all gifts, the best gift is the one that is truly wanted/needed by the recipient. It’s always a good idea for the classroom parent to ask the teacher what the classroom needs are, or for a parent who regularly volunteers in the classroom to keep his/her eyes open for items that could be useful. Some of these items are in a high price-point and would be good options for all of the parents to chip in on, while others are small enough (like one book) that many of us could easily pick it up as a “Welcome Back to School” gift. If that’s not your situation, don’t be discouraged. The most important thing your child’s teacher wants from you this year is your trust and support, and that doesn’t have to cost any dollars at all. Teachers have been through a lot in the last few years, so let’s all do our best to make the 2023/2024 year an excellent one for our teachers. They deserve it!
— Colleen
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