The new semester is just around the corner, and for students, one of the first things to do is to stock up on school supplies. When you come across a notebook with a password lock, a pencil that can be split into blocks, a car-shaped pencil case, or an eraser that smells like your favorite perfume—do you think these are just stationery or actually toys? Do they spark joy in your heart?
Why have so many unusual and exotic stationery items appeared recently? What kind of stationery are students really drawn to? Recently, reporters visited several stationery shops near schools and found that children's essential supplies are becoming more and more advanced, stylish, and even toy-like in function, but at a much higher price than regular stationery.
In response to this trend, teachers have reminded parents and students that when buying stationery, simplicity and practicality should be the priority. Too expensive or too fancy stationery might distract kids from their studies and encourage unhealthy comparisons among classmates.
**Stationery Full of Fun – Like Toys**
At a stationery store near Taishiyi Auxiliary Primary School, a big bus-shaped pencil case was selling well. It had wheels on the bottom and could move by inertia when pushed forward, resembling a real car. Many people came in daily to choose stationery for their kids.
A store owner showed reporters a unique mechanical pencil, which had a doll’s head on the tip. When pulled out, it revealed the body of the doll and gave off a strong fragrance while writing. According to the owner, many parents were coming in lately to buy stationery for their children, but they didn’t care about the design if it was cheap. On the contrary, the more "playful" and fancy stationery was more popular with younger kids.
He pointed to a building block pencil, explaining that it had eight pens inside, each of which could be disassembled and reassembled into shapes like rockets or houses. This made it both fun and educational, though some students even used it as a toy during class.
When the reporter searched for “stationery†on an online shopping site, they found that most top-selling items were multi-functional. These were more colorful, complex, and full of entertainment features. For example, a notebook with a password lock could sell hundreds per month, and some erasers were shaped like cakes, fruits, or even mini guns and firefighter suits.
**High Cost, Not Cheap**
With more features comes a higher price. Reporters found that the cost of novelty stationery often increased with the number of functions. A Smurfs or Garfield pencil sharpener could cost over 20 yuan, while some even reached 40 yuan—compared to just 3 yuan for a regular pencil sharpener.
At a shop near Houxiaohe Primary School, a 68-yuan pencil case was being demonstrated. Inside, it had multiple compartments, a mirror, buttons that revealed a pencil sharpener, eraser, thermometer, magnifying glass, and more. It was like a small gadget box.
"The novelty and variety make it popular," said the store owner. "Last year's ordinary tin pencil cases haven't sold out yet, but this year's multi-functional ones sold out in just a few days."
However, not everyone is happy with the trend. Ms. Wang, a parent, shared her experience: "My daughter's homework has been getting slower and slower. She always gets distracted by the multi-functional pencil case and can't focus. I eventually took it away and bought a simple tin case instead."
**Distracted Attention**
Are these fancy stationery items causing students to lose focus in class? Li Yueze, a teacher from Wuyi Road Primary School, advised that stationery should be simple and practical. She warned against buying items that look too trendy or toy-like, as they might distract young students.
She explained that younger students have less self-control and shorter attention spans. If they use stationery that resembles toys, they may get distracted during lessons, affecting their learning performance.
She also mentioned that some stationery, like scented erasers or brightly colored highlighters, may contain harmful ingredients. Parents should avoid them to protect children’s health. Additionally, using expensive stationery can promote materialism and comparison among students.
In conclusion, when choosing stationery, parents should guide their children to understand that stationery is simply a tool for learning—not a toy. Encouraging simplicity and practicality helps foster discipline and a healthier attitude toward possessions.
Foshan Gruwill Hardware Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.zsgruwill.com