Unloading school bags: yes, but how? 4 simple and effective tips!

The Maximum binder weight shall not exceed 10% of the weight of thechild. This is the official figure hammered for years by health professionals. Beyond that, the risks to the back of schoolchildren in full development prove fatal. The Luggage manufacturers and School supplies have a role to play in Lighten school bags. The Teachersthe parents and Students also! Here is Four simple and effective tips for Deflecting the weight of school bags. It's never too late to set things right...

Choose a lightweight and ergonomic binder

Opt for a comfortable school background

The first tip to really lighten the weight of the schoolbag is to choose this school bag! This is because each model offers a different structure and port options. It is important to select a background adapted to the age, the school level, but also to the size and more precisely to the morphology of the child. The bag thus fits perfectly the back of the student and promises comfort during each trip.

This well-being increases through the choice of an ergonomic model with wide shoulder straps and back reinforcements. Yes, contrary to what one might think, a schoolbag adorned with all these facilities is not heavier. All these elements contribute to the proper maintenance of the bag and promote a light wear. The wide and adjustable straps fit comfortably on the shoulders. The padded back panel cushions the impact of the schoolbag on the children's backs (small shocks inherent in travel).

Know the weight of the empty binder

Of course, before any decision regarding the purchase of the child's future schoolbag, it is necessary to be aware of the weight of the empty luggage. On most online school luggage shops, the weight of the school bag is clearly indicated on the product sheet. In store, it is wise to weigh different models to get an idea of the weight of the bag. Ideally, it displays less than one kilo for models without casters. Trolleys will obviously weigh a little heavier (device consisting of a telescopic handle and wheels), but are not to be banned. We will explain a few lines later how these wheeled school bags can be good ambassadors for light travel.

When choosing the future schoolbag, lightweight, but strong materials should be favored. For example, it is preferable to avoid metal buckles in favor of PVC clasps that are just as resistant and easy to handle. Zippers are also effective and do not load school luggage.

The leather goods specialists in school luggage all work for low weight school bags. Each one redoubles their ingenuity: for years, they have been sifting through the different subjects of the course bag, the structure of the latter is constantly being studied... Innovations in the field are well underway! For example, the Kipling brand offers ever lighter bags in waterproof, high-performance material. Today, the vacuum binder is gradually lightening, but never in favor of ergonomics and robustness.

Choosing a school bag appropriate to your needs

Asking yourself the question of the best schoolbag for your child involves the definition of the model, and in particular by choosing a bag with or without wheels. The preference for one or the other of these school baggage is made according to the movements of the students. On wheels, it is ideal for a schoolchild who walks to his school (be aware that the standard for the weight of the bag should not exceed 20% of that of the child). Two advantages: the schoolbag is intended to be light and the weight of school supplies is not supported.

The Ring binder or backpack Free of trolley devices is desirable if the child uses public transport or if he has to take daily stairs. The analysis of all these criteria makes it possible to opt for the best school bag. A resistant and light luggage that only remains to be filled!

>Is your child attending primary school? Discover the article "Which binder to choose for the primary ?"

Equip yourself with adapted school supplies

Reduce the weight of school materials

Like school bag manufacturers, publishers regularly reflect on the weight of textbooks. This is why, in recent years, books have weighed on average 20 to 30% less than before. A possible reduction thanks to the implementation of several actions on the book: elimination of cardboard bindings, use of lighter papers...

As a parent (or teacher), it is also possible to intervene on the weight of school supplies. Reduce the number of pages of Notebooks (96 instead of 192) — the notebook fills up gradually, it is not necessary to carry many sheets at once — or favoring flexible laminated binders instead of large cardboard binders are two simple actions to implement. Throughout the year, it's a good idea to remember to remove course sheets you've already learned (these lessons can stay in class or at home).

Choosing a lightweight kit

Another essential of the schoolboy, the Pencil kit also needs to be adjusted. Opting for a lightweight case seems obvious, but the question to ask is more that of the compartments. Indeed, in recent years, school kits have been adorned with two or three compartments. Some are even already stocked with all the writing materials necessary for students.

Again, the preference for one or the other of these kits depends on the use. If the child needs all the pencils and other pens every day, it is probably wise to opt for a sufficiently large kit with two or three compartments. On the contrary, if a category of markers is not essential on a daily basis, adopting several small cases is certainly preferable. Non-essentials will be able to stay at home or at school and thus declutter the schoolbag.

Opt for digital textbooks

Digital technology is invading our lifestyles: learning is no exception. More and more schools are equipping their students with tablets. Exit books and other notebooks heavy to carry, digital equipment is certainly more fragile, but much lighter!

The paid application www.monmanuelscolairenumerique.com gives access to a number of school books, from primary to high school and in all subjects. Another good point to lighten the bags of schoolchildren! In addition, it is ideal for children who share between the homes of both parents...

Organize the school bag

Learn how to make your schoolbag

Learn how to make your schoolbag is a good way to intervene on the weight of the latter. Exit all the papers, toys (and other superfluous gadgets) or useless books for the next day: every evening must be an opportunity to declutter the school bag.

Once the school bag is free of unnecessary accessories, it is important to learn how to organize it well: distributing the load represented by school supplies remains essential to balance the bag and thus reduce the feeling of heaviness. To optimize the schoolchild's number one accessory, all compartments available must be the subject of special attention. Objective: everything in its place! It is also a good way for children to find the material they are looking for in the blink of an eye.

The arrangement of school supplies inside the school bag is optimized as follows: place the heaviest loads (large large books) against the child's back and balance the kits and small notebooks. Thus the weight of the accessory is correctly distributed to offer better comfort to the student when moving.

Use all available resources

To act on the weight of the schoolbag, you have to shine with mischief! Does the child's establishment have lockers? Then non-essential supplies will be able to transit inside...

• Opt for two pencil kits: one stays at home and one at school.
• Divide the day in two: place the afternoon's belongings in a light cotton bag that the child will easily leave in the locker in the morning. This avoids carrying all school supplies at each class change in the morning.
• Slip a schedule into the child's schoolbag to help him pack his school bag and avoid any overload.

Adopt good posture and behavior

Teach a child the right way to carry the schoolbag! This is the last — but not least — tip to adopt to ensure that the weight of the school bag will not affect the health of students. Educating schoolchildren to wear the bag goes through several steps.

Two shoulder straps

Too often, children put on a single satchel strap. As a result, their backs are put to the test. In this way, the weight of school supplies is abnormally distributed on the shoulders and can cause long-term health problems for the student. The solution: always carry the class bag on both shoulders!

Perfect tuning

The precise adjustment of the school bag on the shoulders of the schoolchildren brings maximum comfort. The rule: the bag must remain in contact with the child's body while traveling. For this, the adjustment of the straps is done to leave as little space as possible between the back panel of the bag and the back of the student.

Flexible knees

Yes, we can never say it enough, to avoid back pain and preserve the health of all, it is important to flex the legs to lift any load. The student who gets used to bending his knees to hoist the schoolbag on his shoulders will preserve his physical condition more.

Circumstantial behaviour

The child does not need to carry his schoolbag throughout the day. While waiting for the bus or the teacher, he can unload his bag. At recess too, it is useless to keep the luggage in hand or on the shoulders. These moments should be discussed with schoolchildren.

In order to make the child more aware of the weight of his schoolbag, the scale is the ideal object. The before after is rich in teaching. Indeed, it is interesting to weigh the school bag before making the necessary changes to lighten it to get an idea of the grams (or even kilos) that good practices can mitigate. A ritual that appeals to children and encourages them to invest in lighter school bags!

Thanks to these four tips, parents and children can act directly on the weight of school bags. Simple to implement, these small everyday gestures preserve the health of students' backs. Because offloading school baggage is an elementary measure for the well-being of schoolchildren. Moreover, in a circular of 2008, the national education unveils courses of concrete action. What are we waiting for to really put them in place? The combination of these areas of improvement is a guarantee of high efficiency. Acting on the choice of equipment, the balance of schedules or equipping schools with lockers ...: this is a series of collective measures to reflect and take to lighten the schoolbag of children!

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Sources: www.education.gouv.fr