Teach your little one a love of reading with visits to the library. Page through picture books, and let him choose one or two favorites to borrow. Give your child a small, lightweight book bag - a homemade fabric bag or small, store bough tote - to use for carrying borrowed books home, and store the books in the bag when they are not being used.
Kindergartners are eager to go to school and carry a book bag or backpack, just like big kids. Most schools require students to have a backpack for carrying important papers, school supplies and lunch. Invest in a high quality backpack that your kindergartner can use for two or three years. A high quality backpack will cost a little more, but the zippers and seams are more likely to last longer.
The size of the backpack will get larger as your child grows up. The homework load increases in fourth and fifth grade, as does the size and weight of your child's textbooks. Quality is still important, because your child's book bag or backpack must be able to withstand a lot of weight and should provide maximum comfort and safety for your child. Select a bag with padded shoulder straps and encourage your child to wear both of them at the same time for even weight distribution. This will help to prevent back and shoulder strain.
Rolling book bags have increased in popularity as consumers have discovered the potential health risks associated with carrying heavy backpacks. Rolling backpacks have a retractable handle like a rolling suitcase. Check with your child's school to see if rolling book bags are permitted; some schools do not allow them because of the dangers of children tripping over them.
Some book bags are dual purpose with compartments for books, papers and pens as well as a laptop computer. Some high school students are allowed to use laptops in class. A specialty book and laptop bag has padding essential for protecting a laptop.