Did you know…
- A child’s spine develops until about age 18.
- Carrying excessive weight while the spine is developing could impair growth, changing a child’s posture.
- Heavier backpacks compress the spine and increase curvature.
- Over 90% of children wear a backpack every day, most over the recommended weight limit.
- More than 50% of children experience discomfort when carrying over 10% of their body weight.
Packing Your Backpack
Backpacks should weigh no more than 10% of your child’s body weight. If your child must carry more items back and forth to school consider hand carrying an item outside the bag or considering a bag with wheels if your school will allow it.
Put the heaviest items closest to the child’s back. Utilize all of your compartments to evenly distribute the weight. Keeping the heaviest items closest to the back and lighter items in the front pockets and side pockets.
Re-Pack Nightly. Keep backpack weight light by having your child check their bag nightly and removing the items that are not necessary for the next day.