CHOOSE THE RIGHT schoolbag!

GIVE YOUR CHILD THE BEST POSSIBLE START WITH THESE SIMPLE TIPS

While starting school is a huge milestone for any child, having the right bag is also a big step in developing their growing sense of independence.

Nicole Haynes, who is the paediatric manager at Q Paediatrics Allsports and national paediatric chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, says the correct bag choice can help your child feel more self-sufficient, and improve their school experience. While all kids are different, try these helpful pointers when shopping for your child’s schoolbag. START SMALL

Firstly, avoid anything that’s too big. “A backpack should sit on the centre of the back and hang lower than the child’s lower back,” explains Nicole. It’s also good to look at the straps.

“Having wide and adjustable shoulder straps will assist in

getting a more comfortable fit,” she says. “Using a smaller backpack in the first few years of school and shortening the back straps to the appropriate length, so the pack fits snugly on the back of the child, will make it more comfortable.” LIGHTEN THE LOAD

“The weight of the bag should be comfortable enough to make active school travel possible and enjoyable,” says Nicole. “The backpack shouldn’t be so heavy that it causes significant changes in the way a child stands and walks.”

Nicole also suggests using a smaller water bottle or a lightweight lunch box, and limiting the load of books. Choosing a lighter laptop may be a good option for older kids, while bags with multiple compartments can be helpful for distributing the load. GIVE THEM TIME

For some kids, it can take time and adjustment to get used to carrying a bag. If necessary, start by carrying it for them some of the way, and encourage them to carry the bag for longer. “The human body is very adaptable and by carrying their own backpack, a child will develop the specific strength required to carry a backpack while walking,” Nicole says. BACKPACKS VS SHOULDER BAGS

Overall, Nicole says backpacks are the big winner. “Carrying a shoulder bag can alter the way a child stands or walks, and cause discomfort if they need to carry it for a longer time or distance,” she explains.

However, if your child insists on using a shoulder bag, the good news is that it’s not as harmful as you may think.

“There is no clear evidence that carrying a shoulder bag causes any long-term changes or damage to the spine,” Nicole says. “Using some simple strategies, such as limiting the weight of a shoulder bag and alternating the side it’s carried on, will assist in the comfort of using a shoulder bag.”