10 Tips for Choosing Your Children’s Backpack

1 – A backpack that is worn on the back Avoid shoulder bags that can, due to their weight, deform the child’s spine, causing them to lean or bend to compensate. The ideal is a backpack with “s” shaped straps that adapts to the child’s body shape.

2 – A solid backpack A good backpack should have a solid structure and be padded on the back.

3 – A properly sized backpack The backpack should not be too long, so it does not corner the child in door frames or bus openings… Ideally, it will be the width of the child’s back.

4 – Weigh it! The total weight of a backpack should not exceed 10% of the student’s weight.

5 – Teach them to wear their backpack correctly To put on their backpack, it is preferable to place it on a table to pass their arms through the straps, bending their knees to reach a good height.

6 – Teach them to carry their backpack properly A backpack should be carried with both straps, well adjusted. It is necessary for the backpack to be placed against the back, with the top at shoulder height in order to distribute the weight of the backpack evenly. Otherwise, the loaded backpack will tend to tip backward.

7 – Organize and balance their personal items The heaviest books should be placed in the center of the back to better distribute the load. This way, they will not tend to tilt the backpack backward, and the child will have to exert less effort to stay upright. Ensure that they only take the strictly necessary items to school.

8 – Prioritize a light snack Don’t neglect the weight and space for snacks and drinks in the backpack.

9 – Be cautious with wheels Wheeled backpacks: their disadvantage lies in the fact that to pull, the child must keep their body constantly twisted, which is not entirely advisable. On the other hand, we too quickly say that the wheeled backpack can be loaded more… forgetting that the child generally has to go up or down stairs and carry the backpack like heavy frames.

10 – Consult a Chiropractor For children and adolescents who carry overly heavy backpacks or engage in asymmetrical sports, one must be very attentive to the development of poor postures and habits. When discovered early, the chiropractor can help maintain a healthy body. In many countries, the Doctor of Chiropractic acts as a Pediatrician. Dr. Marc Bony is specially trained for the care of children.

www.quiropractica1.com
sources
http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/backpacks-and-back-pain-children
http://www.knowyourback.org/Pages/BackPainPrevention/BackPackSafety.aspx