People often joke that school kids carry backpacks bigger than them, and this isn’t too far from the truth. The weight of school bags can negatively impact your child’s posture, even hindering spine development, but there are things you can do to prevent their negative impact.
Backpack Choice
The backpack you choose should never be too large for your kid’s back and you should consider buying an ergonomically designed model. In addition to being sturdy and appropriately sized, make sure it has broad, padded shoulder straps, and teach your kid to use both shoulder straps.
Avoid Overpacking
Your kid’s backpack shouldn’t be heavier than 10% of their weight when packed. To lighten the load, you should help your kid clear the unnecessary items from their backpack and keep some of their things inside a locker so their backpack would be lighter in between classes.
Strategic Packing
Be a little bit more strategic about the way you pack your kid’s backpack. Heavy items are best placed at the base of the pack, close to the spine. Some of them can be carried in hand or avoided altogether. For example, your kid can fill a water bottle at school instead of having an extra 750 ml weighing them down.