In the last installment of this blog, I introduced you to the proper way to wear a backpack and gave you a rough introduction on how to choose a backpack for kids. Today, I would like to further provide you with a detailed guide to choosing a backpack for kids to help parents better select the right backpack for their children.
Parents should pay more attention to backpacks
A compelling study published in the journal BMJ revealed that out of 745 student respondents, about 34% said that their parents never checked the contents of their backpacks. This alarming statistic highlights the need for parents to be more involved in managing their children’s backpacks, especially during their early years. Parental involvement in the backpacking process plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and health of children. However, not all parents are equipped with the knowledge to do so, especially first-time parents. Understanding the importance of choosing the right backpack for your nursery school is crucial to promoting their comfort, health, and overall school experience. By providing parents with a valuable introduction, this article will help develop good posture and backpacking habits for children as they begin their early education!
So the first thing is how to pick the right backpack for your child, here are the criteria for picking a backpack for kids .
Standard Sizes of Kindergarten School Bags
Kindergarten backpacks come in a variety of sizes that are specifically designed to meet the needs of elementary school students. The standard sizes are usually 14 to 16 inches, 10 to 12 inches wide, and 5 to 6 inches deep. These sizes ensure a good fit for a kindergarten’s stature while providing plenty of room for backpack essentials. Capacity is a crucial consideration when choosing a kindergarten backpack. With an average capacity of 10 to 15 liters, these backpacks will not only hold daily essentials, but will also remain comfortable without being overloaded.
Children's Backpack Storage Suggestion
When preparing backpack essentials for your nursery school, consider items that are lightweight and age-appropriate. These items may include lunch boxes, water bottles, small sweaters or jackets, snack boxes, and some school supplies such as crayons and notebooks. Avoid overloading the backpack to keep it comfortable and to place potential postural issues. Since kids often carry crafts or occasionally bring home artwork, choosing a backpack with exterior pockets or compartments will come in handy. These pockets make it easy for kids to organize and access their belongings.
The effect of the weight of school bags on children's health
As a general rule, your child’s school bag should not weigh more than 10 to 15 percent of his or her body weight. If your child weighs 23 kilograms, the bag will weigh 3-5 kilograms when filled. The smaller your child is, the smaller the bag should be. There are many reasons why you should be concerned about the size of your child’s school bag. First of all, a bag that is too small may not be able to hold all the school supplies your child needs, which can be frustrating for both you and your child. On the other hand, a bag that is too large may be too heavy for your child to carry comfortably, which can lead to back pain or other physical discomfort.
The size of a school bag can also affect your child’s posture and overall health. Carrying a heavy book bag over one shoulder can lead to muscle strains and other physical problems. Kids’ backpacks must be carried on both shoulders in order to distribute the weight properly. Otherwise, they may experience neck and back pain from having to evenly adjust their hips and shoulders to the weight of the backpack. If a school backpack is too heavy or carried incorrectly, their spine may be unnaturally compressed. Unsafe or heavy backpacks may cause long-term postural problems.
How to choose the right size backpack
Choosing the right size backpack is critical to ensuring comfort, safety and practicality for your nursery school. Consider the following key factors to make an informed decision:
- Proportional to height and weight: The height of the backpack should match the length of the child’s torso, from the shoulders to just above the waistline. Avoid backpacks that are too large or too small for your child’s posture. In addition, when filled, an empty backpack should weigh no more than 10-15% of the child’s body weight.
- Daily Needs: Assess your child’s daily needs. If they carry fewer items, choose a compact design with a smaller capacity. For those children who have additional needs (such as carrying a lunch box or artwork), choose a backpack that is slightly larger and has extra compartments.
- Adjustability: Choose a backpack with adjustable shoulder and chest straps. This allows for a customized fit, evenly distributes weight and prevents discomfort.
- Ergonomics and padding: Make sure the back and shoulder straps of your backpack are adequately padded for comfort during extended wear. Also the padded back panel helps air circulation and reduces sweating.
- Quality Materials: Durable materials such as polyester or nylon can withstand daily wear and tear. Reinforced seams and sturdy zippers help extend the life of the backpack.
- Try it on before you buy: Whenever possible, have your child try on the backpack in-store or check the measurements online. This ensures the backpack fits well and helps avoid accidents later.
- More compartments: Choose a backpack with multiple compartments to help your child organize their belongings and access them easily. And categorize them well, so that the single compartment will not cause the backpack to deform and affect your child’s health!
Σύναψη
When choosing a backpack for children, it is important to consider all factors, not just the ability to hold things, but also the size, weight, and ergonomic design of the backpack to avoid posture problems or other health hazards during use. By choosing and using backpacks wisely and correctly, parents can provide better support for their children’s early educational journey. Hopefully, the advice provided in this article will help parents make an informed decision when choosing a backpack for their children, so that they can concentrate on their school life and stay happy and healthy.
