Spilled drinks, muddy puddles, paint and the odd accident are part of life for the youngest children at school. A spare set of clothes kept in the bag or on the child's peg means that a mishap does not spoil the day. It is a small thing to prepare, and it gives both child and teacher a great deal of peace of mind.
What goes in the bag
Choose a small bag or a plastic box that fits easily on the peg or in the drawer. Inside, put a pair of pants, a pair of socks, trousers or a skirt, a T-shirt and a jumper. Choose clothes that are easy for the child to put on alone, without small buttons or tight neck openings. Add a plastic bag for the wet clothes to go home in.
Write the child's name on everything. Small children's clothes look very much alike, and a named item finds its way home. A permanent pen on the label is often enough, or a sew-in name tape. Tell the child where the bag is kept and what it is for, so that they are not embarrassed to ask for it when needed.
Make it part of the routine to refill the bag. When wet clothes come home, wash them and put a fresh set into the bag straight away, so that it is never empty. Check now and then whether the clothes still fit and suit the season: in autumn, add a warm jumper, and in summer, a light T-shirt. A short look every few weeks avoids surprises.
Handle accidents calmly at home too. Praise the child for telling the teacher and changing without fuss, and never make them feel silly. Children who are met with kindness soon learn that mishaps are simply part of the day.
If the spare clothes have been used, a quick note to the teacher or a visit to the peg at pick-up is all it takes to restock. Some families keep a second spare set in a drawer at home, so that there is always something clean to put in the bag when the first set is in the wash.
