It can be challenging to find the right backpack for your child - you may disagree with your child on the style, colour, and even durability. But it can be even more difficult to deal with the injuries resulting from wearing an ill-fitting backpack. A child may develop serious neck and back pains as a result.
To help children evenly carry the weight of binders, books, water, and lunches on their backs, it's important to remember how a backpack should fit on a child. In an article from Today's Parent, a spokesperson for the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and an occupational therapy consultant weighed in on what parents should be looking for when helping their child find a new back-to-school backpack. Key Tips You May Have Overlooked Among the usual reminders to look for padded straps, sturdy internal frames, and heavy stitching, there are a few other tips that are often overlooked, but are equally as important:
- Try on different bags, and bring some books to test them out: you won't know the strength of the straps or the distribution of weight in all the compartments unless you test them out.
- Explain to your child why it's important to use both straps: a child may think only using one strap looks "cool", but it can cause damage to the back and shoulders. Encourage your child to use both straps. Explain that it's important to evenly distribute the weight instead of using one side of the body to carry everything.
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Links >> Summer Safety Part 5: Children and Sports Source: https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/watch-your-back-finding-the-perfect-backpack/
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