National School Backpack Awareness Day

Every September the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) selects a day to highlight the importance of proper backpack selection, fitting, and packing to help reduce the instances of backpack-related pain and injury.

Check out these quick tips to help decrease stress caused by improper selection, fitting, and packing of backpack

  • Select a lightweight backpack with well-padded straps.
  • The weight of your backpack should not exceed 10% of your body weight.
  • The backpack should extend from the shoulders to no lower than 4” below the waist.
  • The backpack should rest firmly on your back.
  • Heavy items should be packed in the back of the backpack, closest to your back.
  • Light items and sharp items should be packed in the front of the backpack.
  • Use both straps of the backpack to equally distribute the weight.


Additional Resources from the AOTA:

1, 2, 3’s of Basic Backpack Wearing

Backpack Strategies for Parents and Students

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