Backpacks have long been used in high school for students to transport books to and from school. As standards and homework have increased in younger grades, students as young as 5 and 6 years old are beginning to carry work, books, supplies and whatever else they may need in backpacks. Carrying a backpack clearly helps students keep their work and supplies together with little chance of losing important items. The backpack provides increased communication between parents and teachers when parents can easily locate notes home and important flyers.
Parents and physicians have become increasingly concerned about the long-term effects of children who carry backpacks incorrectly, or who carry backpacks that weigh more than 20 percent of a child's weight. Many students sling the backpack over one shoulder, forcing the weight of the backpack to be borne by only one side of the body. The National Association of School Nurses warns that this practice can lead to spinal injuries or headaches, and can aggravate pre-existing spinal conditions. These problems are compounded when the backpack weighs more than 20 percent of a child's weight.
Schools are taking steps to address parental concerns about the weight of backpacks. Many schools have purchased classroom sets of textbooks so that students don't need to carry all of their textbooks back and forth. If you have a younger child, encourage your child to remove excess belongings from the backpack. Many students choose to bring books back and forth rather than hassle with a school locker. While this may save time, it can lead to long-term back and shoulder pain, notes the National Association of School Nurses.
Backpacks provide students a way to organize themselves and their belongings. Students are less likely to lose materials if they are all collected in one place. Despite these advantages, backpacks should not become a carrying case for all of a child's books, especially in junior high and high school when more books are required. Students should use backpacks if they wish, but parents must be aware of how much their children are carrying.