How to Teach Children to Use a Backpack

Backpacks have become heavier as curriculum changes have dictated larger homework loads. Unless properly packed, these heavier backpacks can be too much for a young student to carry. By teaching your child how to use a backpack safely, you may be avoiding back problems in the future.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Pack and carry only necessary items. Teach your child to clean out his backpack every day, removing items and papers that he no longer needs. Encourage him to leave at school anything he doesn't need for that day's homework assignments. Ask him to leave at home anything he doesn't need for school.

2. Teach her how to load the backpack properly. With some organizing, she can distribute the load more efficiently. Pack the biggest books first, closest to the back, and pack outward in size-descending order.

3. Show your child how to lift the backpack. He should be bending at the knees to pick up his backpack with both hands.

4. Adjust the straps of the backpack so that the bulk of it is positioned in the middle of your child's back. This lets her use the strongest muscles to carry it. It shouldn't hang below the lower back.

5. Strap the backpack on properly. A lot of children use only one of the straps attached to the backpack. This puts all the pressure on one side, causing the torso to lean unnaturally. Instruct your child to use both straps to distribute the weight more evenly.

6. Keep studies and athletics separate. Have a duffel bag available if your child is involved in sports and must carry equipment to and from school. Avoid overloading the backpack.

7. Tell your child to make several stops at her locker. She shouldn't carry the entire day's worth of textbooks in her backpack all day. Sit down with her and help her determine when she can stop at her locker to switch out her books.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that your child's backpack doesn't exceed 20 percent of his body weight.
• Check with the school to see if you can acquire a second set of textbooks to keep at home so that she doesn't have to tote them back and forth. If not, consider buying a second set from another source.
• Buy backpacks as streamlined as possible. The more pockets your child has, the more likely he is to fill it with stuff.

Resources

• Provides information on the spine and spinal disorders.