How to Create a Simple School Backpack Routine
Find out how a thorough and simple backpack routine can help your child stay on top of everything throughout the school year.
CanCan Mom’s hundreds of creative Get-to-Do Lists, routines, schedules, and solutions all make motherhood easier and more fun! Recognizing that you “Get To Do” these things because you are blessed to have a family simply reminds you to Interact with love and laughter more often than impatience.
Have fun incorporating my unique Fast & Free Quick Steps into your daily life!
Moms Crushing It with CanCan Quick Steps
There are five steps to make sure backpacks are ready to go in the morning:
- Set Up a Place for Backpack Inspections
- Empty the Backpacks with Each Child in Turn
- Repack the Backpack When Homework is Completed
- Loading a Pack
- Wearing a Pack
Efficiently Unpack and Repack Backpacks
Tip 1: Set Up a Place for Backpack Inspections
I have a dedicated place to go through each child’s backpack with them before or after dinner. We repack them in the same place when homework is completed. This consistent step keeps managing a school backpack simple all year long.
Tip 2: Empty the Backpacks with Each Child in Turn
As we review all paperwork and take out dirty gym clothes and other items, I find out what homework each has, as well as any upcoming school events, practices or rehearsals, games, permission slips to be signed, etc.
Have your child gather all those items needed tomorrow at school. Then, have them do their homework.
Check out this post on How to Help Your Kids Overcome Homework Battles
Tip 3: Repack the Backpacks so they are Ready to Go in the Morning
After homework is completed, repack backpacks In the same place so nothing is lost somewhere else in the house.
Add uniforms, outfits, extras like gym clothes or after-school practice equipment, permission slips, and anything else your family needs to step out the door—like grabbing their lunches made the night before.
This simple school backpack routine gives me joy as I won’t have to rush to school with any forgotten items or have an upset child if I can’t get there!
Tip 4: Loading a Backpack
• A child’s backpack should weigh no more than about 10% of his or her body weight. This means a student weighing 100 pounds shouldn’t wear a loaded school backpack heavier than 10 pounds.
• Load the heaviest items closest to the child’s back (the back of the pack). If you’re looking for a sturdy, heavy-duty backpack–my kids love Swissgear!
• Arrange books and materials so they won’t slide around in the backpack.
• If the backpack is too heavy or tightly packed, your child can hand-carry a book or other item outside the pack.
• If the backpack is too heavy on a regular basis, consider using a wheelie bag if your child’s school allows it.
Tip 5: Wearing a Backpack
• Use both straps to distribute weight evenly. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort.
• Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Shoulders and necks have many blood vessels and nerves. If they routinely receive too much pressure, that can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands.
• Adjust the shoulder straps so the pack fits snugly on the child’s back. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backward and strain muscles.
• Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one. This helps distribute the weight more evenly.
• The bottom of the pack should rest in the lower back curve. It should never rest more than four inches below the child’s waistline.
How do you handle your kids’ backpacks?
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