Nowadays if we look at the children going to school, they are bend completely to hold the weight of bags on their back. These bags are looting their physical and mental health. Schedule of children are so tight, even they don’t have time to play. They have loads of load on their brain about studies, projects, activities, extra classes, and it goes on. Do they have enough time after school to spend according to their wish? They just run like a clock. No doubt this generation is sharp but we are not giving enough space to their brain to develop completely. Not only about the mental health, their physical health is also disturbed.
If we read the posture of the students, it’s completely disturbed and bad. In future how they will survive? We teach students about good and bad posture and the most surprising thing is that we ourselves are responsible for the poor posture of children. A lot of children have kyphotic posture because of their heavy school bags and reduced physical activity.
Let's reduce both the mental and physical stress stress of students
A recent study of Year Five and Year Eleven students compared the differences in posture of students who did not carry a school bag with those who did. This study demonstrated that carrying a school bag did in fact cause postural changes in both groups of students. It also concluded that carrying a schoolbag was identified as an external load that may have an effect on the developing spine.
Things to consider:
1. Bag Weight: The recommended weight of any bag should not exceed 10% of the child’s body weight.
2. Bag Style: The best style of bag is undoubtedly a backpack. This will ensure that the load is carried evenly and distributed evenly. When fitted properly a backpack should contour tightly to your child’s back.
Features of a bag that are beneficial include:
- Adjustable straps – Ensure you can keep the load as close to the back as possible
- Hip straps- Assists in the distribution of weight
- Padding- Adds comfort to the back
- Compartments – This helps with being able to distribute the weight in the bag as evenly as possible.
- You should also AVOID any shoulder bags as these cause imbalances and strains on the body.
3. Lockers: Nowadays most school have lockers. Encourage your child to use them, rather than carry all of their books around with them. This can help reduce the load in the bag. It is also a good idea to ascertain exactly what needs to be taken to school to ensure your child is not carrying anything that he/she don’t need.
4. Sitting: When setting up an area for homework try to adjust it as much as possible to suit your child, not the other way around.