8TV Live: Will the Heavy School Bag Affect a Child's Spinal Cord?

The consulting psychologist, Ms. Lee Li Li had recently appeared on 8TV (Live) Talk Show: Living Delight on Wednesday, 24th January 2018, aired at 2.00 pm.

Watch Video

What is the appropriate age for children to start packing their school bag?
The children should acquire the concept of ‘pack up’ starting from their early childhood. Before they start school, they can learn the particular skill during their daily life, such as tidying up their own bedroom to form such concept.

How should children pack their school bag?
Firstly, the children can pack up all the needed books according to the class schedule. Secondly, the children have to pay attention to teacher’s instruction during the class, then take note of the needed books into their homework-planner.

For the arrangement part, the children can utilize the compartments of the school bag, and pack up their things according to the schedule. First, all the books and things can be placed orderly on the desk accordingly to its sizes. Second, the thicker books should be placed at the back of the bag which close to the body. Third, the folders and notice paper can be put into the inner compartment. Next, put the small notebook and pencil case inside the front area of bag. The water bottle can be insert into one of the side exterior pockets to avoid water leakage, while lunch box or umbrella can be placed at the other side in order to balance the weight of the school bag.

What do we gain from training our children to pack their own bag?
In addition to train the child’s independence, it helps to improve their logical and organized thinking as well. Parents are able to observe the child’s cognitive ability through the process, too.

When children start learning to pack their bag, what parents should pay attention to?
Firstly, parents should take note of their tone of voice. When children made mistake, the parent should patiently encourage them. Besides, parents also can give encouragement to the child by hanging a child’s favorite pin or pendant on their bag. Secondly, the parents need to learn to let go when the child is able to pack their own bag. The parents can praise them that they’re doing great, and provide appropriate supervision at the side.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of teaching the children to pack their school bag?
The benefits are that the child’s ability of independent living can be cultivated, and it improves their reasoning and logical thinking. In general, it is beneficial and harmless to the children by acquiring the school bag packing skill. Nevertheless, it may be difficult for children with special needs to understand the concept of ‘pack up’, and they’ll need an extended period to learn.

Note: The above shared information is adopted from 8TV (Live) Talk Show: Living Delight ─ “School bag and Spine Health of the Children” on the 24th Jan 2018. For more information, kindly contact our office and we’re pleasured to offer our assistance, thank you.