So here is the thing. The EFA office needs everyone to submit the details of HOW ITEMS ARE BEING USED EDUCATIONALLY for their records for reimbursement approval. A breakdown of what curriculum or educational project it will be used for.

They do ALSO need a receipt that shows the items, every item, in detail and shows the payment method clearly. When the payment method is not very clearly shown a screenshot from a bank statement or CC statement can fill that gap and should be included. This second proof of payment is best to just always include. Technically if last 4 of the cards are showing on the receipt that is enough, but it can easily be missed by a reviewer and cause a rejection that is unnecessary. I recommend just ALWAYS providing it.

You can see here how I have added the screenshot of the transaction from the banking app. It clearly shows the amount that matches the receipt, the date it cleared the bank, and the store name. It gives no other information that would make it problematic to show the EFA department. No other transaction history shows when you go into a single transaction and screenshot just that one.

OK now they have the receipt, and it shows the products clearly and the payment clearly. It has the DATE shown. These are among the most common mistakes that make the receipt not acceptable..

  • Missing description of items

  • Missing the date (the word TODAY isn’t a date - see above mine clearly shows Nov 23, 2025 order)

  • Missing the store name or logo (Do not accidentally crop it out!)

  • Does not show the payment method

  • And it is STILL best practice to add the screenshot from the bank…

So let’s talk about justifying these puzzles as educational.

Here is what you should NOT do.

DO NOT TYPE A FULL PAGE OF INFO

DO NOT GO TO CHATgpt and ask it How are wood puzzles educational and copy and paste that wall of crap into the comments like this…

How are wooden puzzles educational?

Wooden puzzles are educational because they engage multiple areas of a child’s development—cognitive, physical, and emotional—through hands-on learning. Here’s how they support growth and learning:

1. Cognitive Development

  • Problem-solving: Children learn to recognize shapes, patterns, and spatial relationships as they figure out where each piece fits.

  • Memory and focus: Repeatedly attempting a puzzle strengthens memory and attention span.

  • Critical thinking: Puzzles encourage logical reasoning and trial-and-error learning.

2. Motor Skills

  • Fine motor control: Handling and fitting wooden pieces refines hand–eye coordination and dexterity.

  • Grip strength: The tactile nature of wooden pieces helps develop the strength and precision needed for writing later on.

3. Language and Concept Learning

  • Vocabulary: Themed puzzles (animals, letters, numbers, maps) teach new words and concepts.

  • Categorization: Sorting pieces builds early math and science skills—understanding how items group or relate.

4. Social and Emotional Skills

  • Patience and perseverance: Kids learn to persist through challenges and experience satisfaction when completing a puzzle.

  • Collaboration: When done with others, puzzles promote teamwork, communication, and sharing.

5. Sensory and Environmental Benefits

  • Tactile learning: Wooden puzzles provide a sensory-rich experience that’s more grounded than screens.

  • Eco-friendly: Made from natural materials, they connect children with a more sustainable and less overstimulating form of play.

Is that all true? Yes, but they do NOT have time to read 10,000-page long renditions of how an item CAN be found educational. They need to know HOW YOUR STUDENT IS GOING TO USE THIS ITEM for their school lessons.

No bullet points needed, no novel to scour through, they do not need the benefit analysis of the item.

OK now that we see what NOT to do. Let’s talk about what I DID put in the comment section to let them know how these wooden puzzles were in fact not a TOY but an educational tool for my Autistic kindergarten student.

I will be printing the names and the colors of each block on printer paper and laminating them. These words will have velcro dots glued to the back of them. The puzzle pieces will have the other side of the velcro dot attached. He will use them to match the words to the images.

His puzzles were approved without issue because they now know how they will be used in his lessons educationally. That short little paragraph clearly explains the educational use of the items. 2-4 SHORT sentences with a specific explanation of how you will personally in your school setting use the items you purchased.

STOP using chatgpt and STOP writing them a book. Just tell them the facts short and sweet.