So you bought a good backpack, made sure it is being worn on both shoulders- what else can you do?
1.Weigh the pack when it is full. A backpack should weigh no more than 10% of an elementary student’s weight, 15% for older students.
2.What else is he/she carrying? What about those extra-curricular activities? Monitor those bags, too. It doesn’t make sense to be diligent about their school backpack when that hockey bag is twice your child’s weight.
3.Posture at home. How is your student sitting when doing homework or on the computer? Start good habits early- sit up straight, head in alignment with the rest of the spine- no slouching.
Remember the saying” As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.”
4.Quick posture check. Have your child stand straight, with his/her back to you. Look at how level the shoulders, shoulder blades and top of the pelvis are- it should be a straight line from right to left, no tilting from one side to the other. If you are not comfortable doing this or have found something you would like to have checked, call your friendly neighbourhood chiropractor.
