What to do to prevent the backpack from being too heavy?
School age is an important period in life for a child and its parents. It is a moment of intensive development for a young person - both physically and mentally. That is why it is so important to choose the right backpack that accompanies the child during the school period and is his basic, everyday equipment.
More and more parents are aware of the importance of a school backpack's weight (or rather, its weight, or mass, as a scale is a weighing device; however, due to the frequent conflation of these terms, we use them interchangeably here), and a well-known song about a lightweight school bag was created with children in mind. However, a lightweight backpack isn't everything. Remember that the wrong choice can quickly lead to poor posture in your child , so make this decision knowing the maximum weight limit for a school backpack and taking other important factors into account.
School backpack and school bag: what should you pay attention to?
When choosing a school bag or backpack, the Institute of Mother and Child recommends paying attention to elements such as:
- Functionality and security,
- Approvals and certificates for the components used and workmanship,
- Weight, i.e. mass (commonly known as the weight of a school backpack),
- Appearance.
How to choose a backpack for a child?
First and foremost, take a look at the back of the backpack. For health reasons and a direct impact on a child's posture, the back of the backpack should be stiffened . This will evenly distribute even a very heavy load and prevent pressure on the spine when the backpack is filled with textbooks and all the necessary school supplies. With such a "load," even the lightest school backpacks can weigh a lot. It's also important that the school bag or backpack has a reinforced bottom to protect the contents from damage and dirt.
A good school backpack should also be properly shaped and contoured . Make sure it fits snugly against your child's back, thanks to the bulge that provides support for the lumbar spine.
Expert advises
Ideally, its back should be made of breathable material to prevent the child's back from overheating. However, this is difficult to check when buying. During tests at the Institute, we require certificates from manufacturers confirming this property.
What school bag for a first grader?
What should a first-grade school bag be like? Lightweight, but with adequate padding. The straps are also important . They should be wide, stiffened, properly padded, and adjustable. Also, pay attention to their spacing – matching them to the child's height and back width will ensure the backpack's weight is properly and evenly distributed across the shoulders and back. Choosing a product that meets these requirements will protect your child from chafing and shoulder pain.
Expert advises
Take care of your child's spine - let the song about a light schoolbag inspire you to act. Check what your child carries in his backpack. Toddlers often take too many things to school - toys, extra books, and anything else they can think of. Remember that each subsequent item is a burden that can lead to posture defects in the child. The health of our child depends on what we find in the school backpack and how we optimize its contents.
School bag weight - standards
Another important factor is the weight of the backpack, which should be as light as possible and made of appropriate material . Parents often ask about the permissible weight of a school backpack. European standards indicate that the backpack should weigh between 1200-1400 grams and, including its contents, should not exceed 10% of the user's weight. Unfortunately, when children carry a large number of textbooks to school, as required by various educational institutions, this requirement is not met. Therefore, the weight of the backpack itself should be as low as possible – while maintaining the above criteria. Models advertised as the lightest school backpacks may lack other important features, such as a stiffened back panel or contoured and padded shoulder straps.
Why should the backpack be light?
Too much weight of a backpack carried by a child on the back causes excessive action of two forces:
- The first is the sum of the child's weight including the backpack and the force of gravity directed vertically downwards. It causes the deepening of the physiological curves of the spine, i.e. thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, occurring in the sagittal plane of the body, and also, if they occur, also pathological curves, i.e. scoliosis. Therefore, the weight of the school backpack affects the formation of the correct spine of the child.
- The second strength comes from the way the child maintains balance while walking or standing.
Expert advises
If the weight of the backpack is significant, balancing it will force our child to tilt the body forward in order to reduce the forces that tilt the spine backwards (so as not to fall over). The average weight of a school backpack will reverse the situation. A slight backward inclination increases the lumbar lordosis and the curvature of the abdomen. Only a light school backpack reduces anterior-posterior forces and has a slight disturbance in the shape and development of the spine. It should also be remembered that light backpacks with a moderate filling weight have a much less destructive effect on the arch of the feet and load on the hip and knee joints (increased valgus or varus) than heavy backpacks.
A safe and functional backpack for children
Now that we know how important a lightweight school bag is, we can move on to the next elements. Pay attention to details that ensure your child's safety. A good school backpack should be equipped with reflectors placed in highly visible places, such as on the outside of the backpack. This will ensure your child is visible, especially after dark.
When buying a backpack, also consider functionality . It should have enough compartments, dividers, and pockets to help your child organize its contents. Remember that your child will be carrying an ID card, ID badge, textbooks, a lunch, and drinks – each of these items would benefit from a separate compartment. Depending on their needs, they can be waterproof or not. Good school backpacks have a space for a name tag , which is especially useful for the youngest students.
The backpack's handle should also be stiffened, made of a material that won't dig into the child's hand, ergonomic, and comfortable. When purchasing, also check if the backpack has any approvals or certificates . These will ensure its quality, usability, chemically compatible materials (using non-toxic materials and dyes), and durability.
A good backpack for children: a fitting needed
You should never buy a backpack without a child, who should try on and adjust the selected model individually, depending on the body size and anatomical relations. Soft braces are important, as the greatest pressure is put on the shoulders. Also, the adjusting straps should not be too long, as they may become stepped on when carrying the backpack in your hand (risk of falling).
Expert advises
However, the most important element that affects the health of a child is the weight of the backpack. The filling, that is, the content is at the discretion of the school. Parents have a limited influence here, even if they decide to use a possibly light school bag or a light school backpack. And my own experience with children, adolescents and students of the Physical Education Academy shows that increasing the weight carried on the back by as much as 10% of the body weight causes a significant increase in heart rate during the walk. In school children, this increase averaged 30 beats per minute, compared to the march without a school backpack containing 2-3 kg.
The appearance of the backpack also matters
If you've already decided on a good, lightweight school backpack, consider its aesthetic appeal. Remember that children are demanding individuals with their own needs. Therefore, a design that suits them is crucial. If you find models that meet all the requirements outlined by the Institute of Mother and Child, give your child the opportunity to choose the pattern and color. This is a very individual matter, and the opportunity to decide on something as important as a school backpack will bring your growing child great joy.
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