FREE Printable: Back-to-School Activity Sheets "What’s in (and on) your kid’s BACKPACK?!? - Get your school year off to a happy, healthy start! "

FREE Printable: Back-to-School Activity Sheets "What’s in (and on) your kid’s BACKPACK?!? - Get your school year off to a happy, healthy start! "

Back-to-school is in FULL SWING! In addition to homework, school supplies, and snacks, your child’s backpack may already be bursting with even more extras! Anyone else have kiddos who are a bit of packrat? 

Did you know that a child’s backpack shouldn’t weigh more than 10% of their body weight? 

We’ve all seen those sweet babies hiking up the school’s front steps with bags as big (or bigger!) than they are, but according to the American Occupation Association of America, that’s TOO MUCH and can be hard on our little one’s bodies. 

In fact, the third Wednesday of September has been established as National Backpack Awareness Day by the AOAA with help from occupational therapy practitioners, educators, and students across the country. It’s a day to raise awareness on the dangers of kid’s carrying too much weight in their bags. This year’s date is September 23rd. 

So, what are some ways you can literally lighten the load of your kids this school year? 

🍎 When packing your child’s backpack, put the heaviest items closest to their back. This makes it easier for them to carry and doesn’t put as much strain on them! 
🍎 Make cleaning out that backpack a regular activity! No more crumpled up paper and overdue library books hanging out in there until the winter break. 
🍎 For those little bookworms, consider letting them carry a book or two in their hands instead of loading everything in their bag. 
🍎 Put lunches and snacks in a separate box to lessen how full the backpack gets. 
🍎 Download this week’s backpack printables for some LIGHTWEIGHT fun for those bags on the way to and from school! 

Remember, don’t let the weight of back-to-school get you down with a too-heavy backpack!  

Of course, this lesson isn’t just for our kids – I know lots of parents, teachers, and grandparents who could stand to alleviate some weight from their purses and bags as well. 😉  

Here’s to a healthy and happy school year for the whole family🍎 

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