The Healthy Way to Wear a Backpack

We all know that there is no school shopping trip that is complete without a new 🎒 however many kids are using and wearing their backpacks incorrectly. 

Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to make sure their  🎒 are right:

1. Encourage light packing:
   Decide with your child what’s essential, and what can be eliminated. Only pack what you need.
2. Load it evenly: Backpacks are made to distribute weight evenly. Make sure the heaviest items are positioned closest to the centre of the back. 
3. Make sure it’s the right weight: Ideally, a backpack should be no more than 10-15% of the wearer’s body weight. This is especially important to consider with smaller children. 
4. Make sure the straps are tightened: For proper support, the backpack should fit securely on both shoulders and should rest on the contour of the back. If it’s hanging over the buttocks, it’s too low. Don’t assume that when the bag has been fitted once it’ll be set for the whole school year. Maybe a strap has been pulled tighter or loosened, maybe it’s filled a bit too heavy on occasion, or maybe the objects in the bag on some days are weighted to one side instead of centred. By checking how the bag fits each day, you’re not only helping your child’s posture, you’re helping to form good habits for life.
5. Monitor their comfort: Don’t assume that when the bag has been fitted once it’ll be set for the whole school year. Maybe a strap has been pulled tighter or loosened, maybe it’s filled a bit too heavy on occasion, or maybe the objects in the bag on some days are weighted to one side instead of centred. By checking how the bag fits each day, you’re not only helping your child’s posture, you’re helping to form good habits for life.
6. Wear both arm straps: Encourage your child to wear their backpack with both arm straps at all times. Carrying their bag over one shoulder or holding it over one arm in front of them promotes uneven posture, which, if it becomes a habit, can lead to problems down the line.
7. Reduce backpack wearing time: If the child has access to cubbies, cubicles, or safe places to rest their bag when they aren’t walking around with it, encourage them to use them.