By Brianne Spinelli

Do you remember your first day of kindergarten? It’s a bit of a stretch for me as mine was over 2 decades ago, but I can still remember some key points. We had bear-shaped, cardstock cutouts with our names printed across the front, hung around our necks with orange yarn. I remember having the same concerns as most other 5-year olds. Will my teacher be nice? Who will I play with? When is nap time? Now, twenty-some-odd years later, I’m preparing to watch my niece head off to her first day of kindergarten.

It is auntie-instinct to want to hold nieces’ and nephews’ hands through any awkward or uncertain situation they may encounter. While we can’t physically accompany them on this journey, we can help set them up with some stellar first day of school style.

Ever have a random person compliment you on your outfit? It’s that simple for kids as well. It can actually be even simpler for them as children’s clothing tends to turn them into walking billboards for their favorite things. There is no shortage of t-shirts emblazoned with the kiddoes’ favorite cartoon characters, but why not help them stand out from the crowd a little more? Is your nephew a Lego fanatic or do you have a penchant for gummy bears? Beloved shirts  has the unique items that are sure to breach the ice and make a lasting impression.

When shopping for something for your new kindergartener to stand out, keep in mind that back-to-school fashion is also functional. There’s nothing cuter than a child wearing some of today’s top fashions: Fedoras, suspenders, tights, layers. However, when at school, the kids will be very active all day. Many curriculums for this age group involve a “learning though play” approach that will have them dancing, jumping, crawling, etc. Their clothing should allow them to move around freely. Also, they will begin to gain more independence in terms of bathroom practices. Highly fashionable articles could get in their way or, worse, end up dunked in the toilet.

These days, many schools are opting for school uniforms. Uniforms are not just for private or parochial schools anymore: many public schools are adopting standardized dress for their students. My niece will be falling into the category of uniformed students. While you won’t be able to provide nieces and nephews with an outstanding look that doesn’t break dress codes (let’s encourage them to follow the rules!), you can still stock them up with conversation-starting accessories from backpacks to pencil cases to folders. Etsy is a great resource to shop items to suit your nieces’ and nephews’ personal styles, such as the great pencil cases from MinneBites or this backpack from YourPersonalDesigns.

The best thing a kid can wear is, of course, confidence and a positive attitude. As our nieces and nephews are making this big transition from preschool to grade school, it’s especially important to be their biggest cheerleaders. Encourage them, support them, and help build their self-esteem.

Photo: chomnancoffee
Published: August 20, 2014