| In the old days, children would head off to school | | | | 2. Adjust the backpack so it rests in the curve of |
| with a piece of notebook paper in one hand and a | | | | the lower back. The pack should never rest more |
| pencil perched behind one ear. But in this modern age | | | | than four inches below your child's waistline. The |
| of technology, even elementary-age children are | | | | shoulder straps should be well-padded and as wide as |
| burdened with books, pencil cases, calculators, the | | | | possible to help distribute the weight of the |
| obligatory cell phone, a personal PDA for scheduling | | | | backpack. |
| and perhaps even a notebook computer. Most of | | | | 3. Check your child's backpack and make sure they |
| these items are hastily thrown into a backpack, and | | | | have only packed items that are necessary for the |
| slung over one shoulder as they head out the door. | | | | day's activities. The heaviest items should be loaded |
| While experts have recommended that a kid's | | | | in the back of the pack (closest to your child's back), |
| backpack should weigh less than 15 percent their | | | | and items should be arranged so they don't shift and |
| body weight, many kids routinely lug around more | | | | move in the pack. It is better for the child to |
| than twice that percentage. Over time, this backpack | | | | hand-carry a few items than to over-load the |
| burden can create health problems such as stooped | | | | backpack. |
| posture, chronic back and shoulder pain, stiff necks | | | | 4. Instruct your child to wear both shoulder straps. |
| and muscle weakness. | | | | Slinging the pack over one shoulder can cause a |
| Lisa A. Haney, Director of Rehabilitation Services at | | | | great deal of muscle strain. It causes the child to lean |
| Pennsylvania Hospital, has said that "More than 40 | | | | to one side, curving the spine and causing discomfort |
| million U.S. students carry backpacks, and most of | | | | throughout the back, neck and shoulders. Be sure to |
| them are unaware that overloading them or carrying | | | | adjust the straps so the pack fits snugly against the |
| them incorrectly can set them up for a lifetime of | | | | child's back and make certain to fasten the waist |
| problems." According to Ms. Haney, "It's up to | | | | belt, if the pack has one, to distribute the weight |
| parents, teachers and schools to help spread the | | | | more evenly. |
| word about backpack safety and help our kids lighten | | | | 5. If your child can't, or won't, wear the backpack |
| their loads." | | | | properly, you may need to consider a rolling |
| To minimize the harmful effects of carrying a | | | | backpack. Just make sure the handle is long enough |
| backpack, it is important to follow these five tips: | | | | so your child doesn't have to twist or bend to pull |
| 1. Make sure you and your child pick a backpack that | | | | the backpack. |
| is appropriate for your child's age and size. You should | | | | By following these five tips, your child's backpack can |
| physically weigh the backpack to make sure it is less | | | | do its job, without doing in your child! |
| than 15 percent of your child's body weight. | | | | |