Ten Teacher-Approved Learning Tools That Your Tot or Preschooler Needs For This Back to School Season

As a mom who’s also a teacher, I feel like I am always trying to follow my one-year-old’s lead and find fun opportunities to teach him more about whatever he is currently interested in. Right now, he’s all about markers. He’s pretty much a walking rainbow by the end of the day.

Sometimes, we do the fancy, Pinterest-mom stuff when I’m feeling super motivated. More often than not, though, we keep it pretty simple because, lets be honest…who really has extra energy after chasing around a toddler? (PS: I have the dark circles under my eyes and a lukewarm cup of coffee at 2 PM to prove it!)

Either way, I’ve come up with a list of ten, teacher-approved learning tools that your tot or preschooler needs for this back-to-school season. Even if your little one isn’t heading off to school quite yet, there’s no reason they can’t join the back-to-school fun and jump into some easy learning right at home!

These natural, beeswax crayons are free of icky chemicals and safe for even the littlest artists! Beeswax is safe to chew and difficult to snap, which means no more broken crayons. These crayons come in three sizes for different ages.

Practice recognizing and forming letters with this natural wood, tracing board by Bannor Toys. Younger kids can trace with their fingers, while older kids can use the walnut “pencil” stylus. It’s also fun for crayon rubbing or filling the letters with beans or beads. Bannor Toys products are made in the midwestern United States from responsibly harvested, American hardwood.

Fiskars has become the gold standard for school scissors, and these starter scissors live up to the same reputation! Fiskars Starter Scissors are spring-loaded with a plastic blade to help little hands safely master the opening and closing motion needed for cutting.

If you’re a caregiver who worries about your little one being “school ready” when they start preschool or kindergarten, the best thing you can help them with is practical life skills! Practice buttoning, zipping, snapping and more with this Book of Dressing Frames by Treasure Trunk. These dressing frames are soft-sided and washable making them great for both at home and on the go!

Veggie Baby paints are organic, fruit and vegetable based paints that are perfect for little artists of any age. Available in both tempera and finger paint, the all natural paints are safe if ingested and easy to clean up! Veggie Baby paints are sold in packs of five colors and come in a powder form. Just add water when you’re ready to paint! 

This mom-owned, small business combines modern, neutral aesthetic with kid-friendly visuals! (We have these art prints in our playroom, and I am OB-SESSED.) The educational print series includes themes like numbers, letters, weather, bugs, and botanicals, which are all beautifully crafted in earthy colors and realistic detail.

Probably the simplest item you’ll find on this list, a wooden marker stand is a practical addition to your little one’s creative space. This wooden marker stand will help keep your marker caps and lids together, which means no more dry markers!

Practice number recognition and counting objects with these beautifully illustrated, animal flashcards from artist Jo Collier. The cards are printed in a matte laminate finish to help protect them from sticky, little fingers.

If you love creativity but don’t want more laundry, this wipeable craft smock is perfect for your little one! This craft smock by Go Gently Nation is acrylic coated, organic cotton which makes wearing it comfy and cleaning it easy!

Help your little one explore the world around them with these magnifying blocks. This block set includes six blocks with hardwood frames and magnifying, acrylic window centers. The blocks can be used for building and stacking or examining the details of treasures found indoors and outdoors.