A Guide to Buying the Right School Bag for Your Child

Books, Books and more Books – have there been times when you’ve watched your little one struggling with a school bag that looks almost the same size as them? As parents, it’s natural to worry that your child’s young and still growing body can be weighed down by heavy school bags.

Recent research has shown that 80 per cent of school children are carrying book bags which are too heavy to the extent that they are harming their health. This is sometimes made worse by the use of unergonomic bags which are not designed with the child’s comfort in mind.

Carrying a heavy load, particularly only on one shoulder, takes a toll on young spines and could cause back pain for children.

Here’s how to tell if your child is carrying a little too much for his build, and how to choose a school bag that will literally help take the weight off of his shoulders.

How Heavy?

Experts in the United Kingdom say that the optimum weight for a child’s school bag should be equal or less than 10 per cent of their weight. Simply weigh your child’s school bag to see if they are carrying loads too heavy for them.

Pack Smart

An extra 10-15 minutes a day to check through your child’s timetable or schedule should help lessen the burden. Opting for a smaller water bottle that can be refilled again, or taking out unnecessary books goes a long way in making the bag lighter. If they have the option of a locker at school, that’s a great way to go about making their bags less heavy! Ask if they can store some items in the locker to offload the strain, or you could consider speaking to the teachers if it becomes a big concern to you that your child is required to bring so much to school every day.

Back-friendly School Bags

Our first tip is to get a backpack or a rucksack, which can be worn on both shoulders and help to distribute weight more efficiently. Sling or messenger bags may look more “cool”, but at their age, support is more important.

UK-based ergonomic bag maker Totem recommends a “Double S” approach when fitting the school bag to the child:

SIZE Matters

A school backpack should sit no more than 3 cm higher than the shoulders and no lower than the hips. Do not “invest” in a larger backpack hoping your child can “grow” into it. Children aged 5-10 years old require child-sized bags.

SUPPORT is Key

The backpack should be padded on the shoulders and back straps to fit the spine and reduce the pressure on the child. Ergonomic backpacks with an internal support frame are an extra plus point as they help to distribute the weight better. Backpacks should come with compartments so that weight is not concentrated just at the bottom of the bag.

Something to keep in mind is also to start your child young – once the habit of wearing a supportive backpack to school everyday is instilled in them, you are putting them on the right route to good back and spinal health.

Sources:
http://www.growingkids.co.uk
http://www.totemschoolbags.co.uk