Back Pack Do's and Dont's
It’s hard to believe school just started, where did the summer go? The aisles of Target, Walmart, and other various stores are packed with back to school supplies, and as I walk past the back packs I think back to those good old days when I was stuck carrying one around. Of course back then the one shoulder look was in, thanks Saved by the Bell, and I start thinking, while I’m glad kids aren’t too cool to wear their back packs on both shoulders, I can’t wait until the roller back pack comes in to style. Why, do you ask? Because I see far to many kids today with horrible posture which then follows them to adulthood. I believe that this bad posture starts with carrying around our back packs and then slouching all day in a desk…the dreaded student posture. This leads to back pain, neck pain, and headaches. So while I know I can’t convince kids to roll around their back pack, it’s way to “nerdy”, I can at least give them and you parents some easy tips to ensure that our kids are wearing their back packs the cool and better way.
5 Tips for Proper Back Pack Wearing
Make sure your child's back pack fits their size. If you have a smaller child, they should not be wearing a back pack that is made for an adult. I see too many times a child caring a back pack that would fit me. The length of the back pack should not be longer then the length of your child's torso. Also the larger the back pack the more stuff they can fit into it.
Make sure you child's back pack is no more than 10% of their body weight. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons stated that a child that carries more than 20% of their body weight subjects their spine to serious problems as they develop. If your child's back pack is too heavy they will roll their shoulders forward to support the weight causing poor posture.
Encourage your child to wear their back pack on both shoulders. Find a back pack with padded straps that are wide and adjustable. Across the shoulder bags are not acceptable for the heavy loads of books children carry, especially as they get older. Gone should be the days of one shoulder carrying...we're not in the 90s anymore.
Your child's back pack should not hang lower than 2 inches below their waistline. This will again create a leaning posture that could cause back and neck pain in your child.
Empty your child's back pack out every night, it's amazing what they will store in there if we aren't checking. My son always has rocks and other treasures he finds, so it may not always be books and school supplies weighing your kids down.