Backpack Awareness « Karen Jacobs

Backpack Awareness

Join us for the October 27, 2022 International Backpack Awareness Day. Learn more at:https://www.bu.edu/promotingot/

An interesting article on backpacks: https://www.businessinsider.com/best-backpack-students

The 2020 AOTA National School Backpack Awareness Day™ was celebrated virtually at Boston University. Boston University entry-level OTD1 created a series of backpack infographics for students with low literacy skills. Please feel free to print and disseminate these documents.

Past AOTA National School Backpack Awareness Day™:

The 2019 AOTA National School Backpack Awareness Day™ was Wednesday, September 18, 2019.

At Boston University, we celebrated this event on Wednesday, September 24, 2019.

Learn more about this initiative at:

Our Kids’ School Backpacks Are Too Heavy

http://www.bu.edu/articles/2019/backpack-safety-101/#comments

The 2018 AOTA National School Backpack Awareness Day™ was Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Learn more about this initiative at: https://www.bu.edu/today/2015/backpack-safety-101/#comment-7014676

Learn more about Backpack Safety: https://www.popsci.com/choose-wear-ergonomic-backpack

The 2017 AOTA Backpack Awareness Day™ was Wednesday, September 20, 2017

This annual event helps educate children, parents, school administrators, teachers, and the community about the serious health problems associated with wearing a backpack incorrectly. The Boston University Occupational Therapy Department works with the AOTA to provide information to families and to help ensure that the weight of kids’ backpacks exceeds no more than 10% of their body weight. Carrying too much weight in a pack or wearing it the wrong way can lead to aching back and shoulders, weakened muscles, and stooped posture.

Learn more about Backpack Safety at:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bs-fe-backpacks-20170901-story.html

https://onenewsnow.com/education/2019/09/16/backpacks-pack-them-light-wear-them-right

Backpack Safety Tips for Back and Neck Health

https://www.spineuniverse.com/wellness/prevention/backpack-safety-tips-back-neck-health

Learn about past events:

On September 17, 2014, 64 OT graduate students from Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College and Karen were at the Jackson Mann School in Brighton, MA.

The Boston University Sargent College Rotaract Club will be conducting a Backpack Awareness Day weigh-in from of Sargent College at 635 Commonwealth Ave. Boston on September 17, 2014 from 5:30-6:30pm. We will be raffling a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 at the event. All students who participate in the weigh-in are eligible to win the Microsoft Surface Pro 3.

Media coverage for 2014:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/edutalk/2014/09/17/aota-student-healthschool-backpack-awareness-day

http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/backpack-safety-101/

http://www.timesunion.com/living/article/Backpacks-are-back-healthy-if-used-right-5713973.php

Media coverage for 2013:

Consumer Reports:

http://consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/07/start-the-year-right-with-a-backpack-that-fits/index.htm

Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/on-parenting/how-to-choose-a-backpack-for-your-child/2013/07/23/b1125de2-d85d-11e2-9df4-895344c13c30_story.html

Poughkeepsie Journal

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201308250600/NEWS07/308250042

BU Today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSW616vEVwc&feature=em-uploademail

AOTA’s Backpack Awareness Day 2012

Last year’s AOTA Backpack Awareness Day™ was Wednesday, September 19, 2012. Graduate OT students from Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College and I were at the Jackson Mann School in Brighton, MA and at St. Mary of the Assumption Rectory School in Brookline, MA to weigh the backpacks of elementary school students and offer guidance on the best way to wear a backpack.

“More than 72 million American school children will be wearing a backpack to and from school every day this academic year. And as OT’s, we’re concerned about the increasingly serious problem posed by improper school backpack use,” says Jacobs. “We risk doing long-term damage to our kids’ growing bodies by remaining silent on this public health issue.”

Jacobs supports the effectiveness of backpack education. In a study, almost 8 out of 10 middle school children who had been educated on backpack safety subsequently changed how they loaded their backpacks and ultimately, reported less pain and strain in their backs, necks, and shoulders.

Public Service announcement created by BU OT students for Brookline Access Television

Media coverage of National School Backpack Awareness Day 2012:

http://wtbunews.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/sargent-colleges-dr-karen-jacobs-and-why-your-backpack-is-all-wrong/

http://www.bu.edu/today/2012/what-every-student-should-know-about-backpacks/

For more information:

Backpack Awareness Day 2012 Press Release

BU Backpack Awareness School Handout (2012)

AOTA Backpack Strategies for Parents and Students

A Boston University video on backpack awareness can be found at: http://www.bu.edu/today/2011/take-a-load-off/

How Full is Sophia’s Backpack? (an interactive eBook)

If you would like to consult an occupational therapist about an ergonomic evaluation, talk to your child’s teacher about whether a referral to occupational therapy is appropriate. Your physician, other health professionals, and your school district’s director of special education may also be able to help.

Occupational therapy practitioners are trained in helping children with a broad range of issues in addition to ergonomics, such as good handwriting skills and developmental and behavioral problems, to help them participate more fully in the “occupation” of living. Practitioners work with children in every school district in the nation to improve skills that will help them perform daily tasks at home, at school, and at play.
For more information on occupational therapy, visit www.aota.org.

Backpack Awareness

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