Watch Your Child’s Back! Tips for the Best School Bag

A suitable backpack is very important for your children when they are ready for preschool. Children are able to use a backpack when they are walking and carrying large toys in their hands without frequent falls.

Overloading your child’s back or poor body mechanics can cause damage where effects may become apparent later on. Some of the risk factors that contribute to physical injuries from carrying school bags include the weight of the bag, duration of carrying, poor posture as well as weight distribution of the bag.

The ideal backpack should have:

• Wide, padded shoulder straps with a padded back
  • Wide padded straps minimise the chance of the straps digging into the child’s skin, allows for breathability, comfort and cushioning between the back and the bag.
• A bag with a waist belt
  • Allows for better overall weight distribution and stops the bag from moving away from the body.
• Backpacks with several compartments
  • Allow the contents to be distributed evenly, as well as giving easy access to regularly used items, such as water bottles.
• Double strapped bags
  • Allow for equal weight distribution between both shoulders.
• Lightweight bag
  • Decreases the overall weight.

Remember:

• The child should carry no more than 10-15% of their body weight
• Load the heaviest items closest to your child’s body
• Adjust the shoulder straps so the bag fits snugly to your child’s back

Following the above tips will promote healthy body development, good posture and prevent long term back injury.