Too Much Labeling .....your Kids' School Things??

When my kids were in kinder and 1st all the crayons, pencils, markers, scissors were put in the pot and all the children used all the supplies. It wasnt' until 2nd that they actually had to have their own supplies.

I labeled backpacks, lunch boxes and anything that needed to come home. Anything that was considered "public property" I did not label. Scissors I did label, but I believe I was told to.

I recently read an article saying not to label a visible part of the backpack or lunch tote, saying that a predators "in" with a child is knowing their name.

It may be off the subject a bit but i thought id share (ive never even considered that)

I would label the special stuff. The teacher won't think badly of you for labeling them.
Honestly, when I was teaching I encouraged parents to keep that kind of stuff at home for doing homework because all of our supplies were community supplies, dumped into containers and shared. Plus, using the special stuff can be an incentive to do homework.

In our elementary school we "share".......it all goes into a pot and when it's low, the teacher puts out a call to the room parent and says what she needs...we have to supply paper towels, tissues, hand soap, crayons, markers, composition books...."system" said to do this so the money they spent on it could go to other things like their books and teachers pay...funny though - my kids don't bring home books - everything is copied...yet they preach about global warming...with the amount of paper they use in one day - I'm sure that 5 acres of trees in the Amazon would be saved...

guess I'll get off my soap box....

The only grades that don't share are 5th and 6th...

Depends on the school policy. A lot and I mean a lot of classrooms just collect all the supplies, toss them in containers and pass them back out to the kids as needed. My DD is in third grade (first year in public school) and we labeled her lunch box, supply box, backpack, the rest she may not get to keep as actually hers, so there's no point.

I usually label my children's lunch box, back pack, folders, crayons, markers, scissors, watercolors, and glue sticks. With everything else, I just throw caution to the wind :D If I saw another child had more labels than that I wouldn't think anything of it.
Hope your DD has a great year in kindergarten! =o)

I don't anything will think much about the labels. But I agree, check with your school. My son starts Kindergarten this year as well. I bought generic everything, because it states on the top of the list, that most supplies will be collected by the teacher for classroom use. I told him that we'd get some stickers or "fun" supplies as soon as we know what he's allowed to keep. But otherwise, label away. :)

I HAVE to label, or one of two things happen:

1- My daughters fight over whose green pencil is whose. WHO CARES?! Not me, but to eliminate the tattle tale problem, I label them.

2- Stuff disappears at school. I KNOW *MY* kid didn't go through 12 glue sticks in 4 days. Now, if so-and-so swipes a glue stick, my kid can get it back. I'm all for sharing, but part of sharing is RETURNING what you borrowed. I'm not trying to buy school supplies for the entire classroom, I can't afford to!

So yes, I label the heck out of what I can. My husband thinks it's a huge waste, but I've learned my lesson!! Label on, mama!! ;)

My daughter's school list includes which items are to be labeled, and which are not. For example, pencils are "shared" items for the whole class, but markers are labeled so each student uses their own. Maybe wait until she starts and ask the teacher what she prefers. Also, at my daughter's school they do not allow folders, pencils, etc. with any type of characters or pictures. Plain colors only. Boring yes, but much less distracting for kids.

I label everything.
Everything.
Per school in class supplies.

If it is lost or stolen (some kids to steal, or 'borrow' and never return it), then that is money, lost, too. And your kid not having, what they need. And you would have to buy more, again.

So yes, I label, everything.
Even my friends who are Teachers, say to label, everything.

Some kids NEVER return anything... or they themselves loose it, and never give it back to your kid, even if your kid asks for it.
This happens and is unavoidable.
Some kids even 'forget' what they 'lent' to other kids....

Now for backpacks... I don't label with my kids' full names.
Only, initials.
And MY cell phone number.

My son is going into 3rd.

When he started K, I labeled his backpack, lunch bag, pencil sharpener and pencil box....

Go ahead and label...but I hope your daughter is as organized as you are because I know with my son--school was like a black hole where things went in, got passed around and never returned! :)

Have you asked the teacher? Kindergarten is a little bit different than the older grades. Some classes have community items...things that are shared (crayons, glue sticks, pencils, folders, kleenex boxes, snacks, sometimes scissors,...), but backpacks, pencil boxes, and special things (like the Hello Kitty scissors) should be labeled. Backpacks should have a luggage tag or labeled inside the first pouch. In the beginning of the year I have the students share or use items as a community. Many students don't know how to share or use problem solving skills, so this provides me the opportunity to teach those skills. During the 3rd trimester 'we are older' and 'know how to take care of our items', so I bring out their own individual pencil/crayon boxes. I encourage parents to purchase all items on my list, but only label scissors, pencil boxes, and any special items. Those items will be held/stored until we use them 3rd trimester. The Kindergarteners love this opportunity to show everyone that they can take care of their school items. Plus I use this as a transitioning opportunity...going to the First Grade. If students bring too many 'special' items (roll up pencils, glittery markers, etc.), then it becomes a management nightmare for Kindergarten teachers. Keep those items at home! They truly are not mature enough to use them at school. They may use them as tokens of friendship, they get lost, dropped, others may take them, etc. I hope this information helps...coming from a Kindergarten teacher. When in doubt, just ask the teacher.

At our school they ask that everything is labelled, including each individual color pencil. I guess I should start soon, otherwise I won't be able to finish by the time school starts.

Hello, I have four grown kids and six grandkids. I worked in an elementary school as an Instructional Assistant. I also volunteer in a kindergarten class as well as one of my grandkid's classes (have for all of them) and a reading program. I think it is great that you are labelling all of your daughter's things. That way, when there is a question as to who the items belong to, it is right there.
Good luck with your precious little girl.
K. K.

at my daughter's school they do not allow personal supplies like crayones makers erasers, etc. The kids don't have their own personal regular space (like a desk w/ storage). My daughter did sneak small toys and personal supplies on occasion. sometimes we did not get them back. I know if a parent finds it with your kid's name on it they may return it. But maybe not everyone. Its worth a shot though.

Label..Label..and keep labeling. It's just the way things are and kids and parents being in a hurry often forget or misplace things. Make it easy on you and your kids so their things are easily identified. :)

As many have responded it is very normal for kinder classes to have country supplies and the teacher would not like having personal supplies... However, those special supplies could be still used for homework. Make a special homework box, pouch or station. So... Just check with the teacher first.. Label backpacks and lunch items ... Don't forget jackets and sweaters. :)

dumb question probably but as my son is entering kindergarten next month, how do you label everything? sharpies? label maker? not sure what to label everything with! thanks!