First day of school chalkboards: What’s the big deal?
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The first day of school is a big deal for kids, parents, and families. Capturing this moment with a first day of school chalkboard can be a fun and memorable way to commemorate the start of a new academic year. But it also has other benefits.
Let’s explore everything you need to know about the first day of school chalkboards: What they are, why people make them, what to include, and creative ways to use them.
What's a first day of school chalkboard?
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A first day of school chalkboard is a customizable board that captures details about their child’s first day of school. These boards are often decorated with colorful designs and spaces to write information such as name, age, grade, favorite things, and what they want to be when they grow up. They serve as a delightful keepsake and a great way to track your child's growth and changing interests over the years.
Why are they so popular?
Both practical and sentimental, first day of school chalkboards serve multiple purposes.
Instant keepsake: Snapping a chalkboard photo can create an easy cherished memento that you look back on years later.
Look how much they’ve changed! Pair it with a last day of school chalkboard to see how much your child has grown and changed over the year. Re-label the title if you have an erasable version or use a double-sided first and last day of school chalkboard.
Fun for kids: Filling out the chalkboard can be exciting for kids, making the first day of school even more special – and the last day a proud accomplishment.
Perfect for sharing: It’s an easy way to get Instagram-worthy photos you can share with family and friends or post on social media.
Tradition building: Start a meaningful tradition you can all look forward to every year.
An organizing win: Pre-labeled snapshots make it easier and faster to search through your thousands (millions?) of smartphone photos. Perfect for printing into a themed photo book, too.
What to include on your child’s chalkboard
Some boards come pre-labeled with suggestions. But you can also make your own. Here are a few ideas for topics to include:
Name: The most important detail to personalize the board.
Age: How old your child is on their first day.
Grade: The grade they're entering (or leaving if it’s the last day).
Date: The exact date of their first or last day of school.
Favorite things: List their favorite color, book, food, or hobby. This is a fun one to see change over the years – or in one year!
Career aspiration: What they want to be when they grow up.
Teacher's name: If you don’t know it yet, you can always include it for a last-day board.
School name: Optional.
How to stage an Insta-worthy chalkboard photo
If you’re blessed with a child who loves to pose for the camera, get creative!
Themes: Match the chalkboard theme to your child's favorite character or hobby.
Props: Use backpacks, books, sunglasses or school supplies to add depth to the photo.
Seasonal elements: Capture the day’s vibe with autumn leaves or summer flowers.
Artistic flair: Encourage your child to decorate the chalkboard with drawings or doodles.
Photo series: Create a frameable series or photo book by taking pictures with the chalkboard on each first and last day of school to create a timeline of growth.
A picture’s worth a thousand memories
A first day of school chalkboard is more than just a photo prop; it can be a treasured tradition that captures the excitement and milestones of your child's educational journey. By including personalized details and getting creative with the presentation, you can create lasting memories the whole family will cherish for years to come.
Want more parenting wins? Visit the Greenlight Learning Center for helpful resources on family, finances, and fun.
This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
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