Backpack for a first grader: 10 rules for the perfect choice

There is very little time left, and for many children their first bell will ring. While your little one is finishing their last preschool summer, it's time to attend to school fees. Now the office and school supplies are much cheaper than just before the Day of Knowledge. Therefore, it makes sense to make large purchases in advance. One such purchase is a school backpack. This is a friend and companion who will spend the next 9 months behind the child's back. How to choose it so as not to harm the health of the student? There are several important recommendations for this.

Backpack or knapsack

The ryukazak differs from the knapsack with a rigid frame (photo from open sources)

First you need to decide what exactly you plan to buy for your child. Today, backpack school bags are presented in two types - backpacks and schoolbags. There is a fundamental difference between them, which is very important for parents of younger students to take into account. The satchel is a rigid bag with shoulder straps, and the backpack is a shoulder bag (either shapeless or with a soft frame). Both there and there there is an orthopedic back, however, experts advise choosing a backpack for primary school age. Why? Consider the subtleties of the choice below.

Internal frame

A bag for a first grader should hold its shape well. For this, the rigid inner frame, which the backpacks have, is important. Such a frame allows you to evenly distribute the load on the child's still not strong back. Compare for yourself how heavy books lie in bags with a hard and soft bottom. "Sagging" down, they put pressure on the lower back and interfere with the child when walking.

Also pay attention to the rubberized hard bottom of the backpack. Children often put their school bags on the ground, which can cause even the toughest fabric to wear out over time and make the backpack look untidy.

Orthopedic back

The anatomical back is very important for the child (photo from open sources)

The presence of an orthopedic (anatomical) back - the second axiom when choosing a school bag for a first grader. Therefore, now it is made both in knapsacks and in backpacks. It looks like "cushions" covered with mesh fabric. This backrest repeats the curves of the spine, correctly "lies" on the child's back, allows ergonomic load distribution and maintains posture. It also ensures the movement of air between the body and the bag itself, so in hot weather the child's back will sweat less.

Webbing

Anatomical shoulder straps are responsible for a snug and comfortable fit of the backpack on the back. They must be wide enough (at least 5 cm) and must be S-shaped. Such "curved" straps do not slide off the student's shoulders during movement. Also pay attention to the distance between them at the place of sewing to the backpack: it should be at least 3-4 cm so that the straps fit well on the shoulders and do not rub the child's neck.

Additional straps

A very big plus is the presence of a chest and waist belt on the backpack. These are clamps that fix the position of the knapsack at two additional points - at the waist and on the chest of the child. They help to correctly distribute the weight of the "school burden" on the back and hold the backpack well during movement. Just do not forget that they need to be fastened, and teach this to the child: over time, he himself will understand that with the help of these belts it is much more convenient to carry the knapsack.

Material

The durability of the backpack directly depends on the fabric from which the backpack is sewn. Now no one sews school bags from natural materials, they mainly use polyester or nylon. These materials are strong enough and "hardy", they can withstand more than one slide downhill. Be sure to check if the fabric on top is impregnated with a water-repellent agent: this is important if the baby gets caught in the rain.

The size

It is very important to choose a backpack according to the child's height (photo from open sources)

All children are different, so the size of a backpack or knapsack cannot be universal. It is important to choose it according to the figure of the child. Use a simple rule of thumb to determine the right size for your baby. After adjusting the straps to the figure, the upper part of the backpack should be clearly at the level of the child's shoulders, and the bottom should be no more than 4-5 cm below the waist. If you neglect this rule, the backpack will put pressure on the baby's lower back. To relieve discomfort, the child will begin to hunch over.

Weight

There are sanitary standards according to which weight of the filled backpack should be no more than 10-15% of the child's body weight. However, it is very difficult for the parents of a first grader to predict how many books, notebooks and stationery the child will have to carry to school every day. Therefore, when choosing a knapsack, the rule "the lighter the better" applies. It is optimal when an empty backpack weighs no more than 1 kg.

Reflectors

The backpack must have reflective elements (photo from open sources)

This item will not affect the comfort or health of the back in any way, but will play a large role in the safety of the child. After all, autumn is not eternal, winter will come, and the baby will have to return home at dusk. Reflective fabric elements will make the student more visible on the road and possibly save him from inattentive drivers.

Form

It is convenient for children when the backpack opens from above (photo from open sources)

Both backpacks and satchels are made in different shapes. There are options that open from above (a kind of "lid" with a zipper), and there are those that unfasten to half. First graders and younger students are more suitable for the first type. When you open such a "lid" nothing will crumble or fall out, and things inside the backpack will be in relative order.

Also note that there are several compartments inside. This will help keep the backpack tidy and properly arranged. Textbooks are usually placed closer to the back, while notebooks, lunch box and toys are placed in the front compartments.

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