Let children carry school satchels on their backs by themself

China
November 8, 2011 12:46am CST
Over here, most of children who go to kindergartens or elementary schools are normally walked to there or home by their parent or grandparent ,no matter whether they go to school ,kindergartens or classes are over.This gives no cause for much criticism,because they are so little and there is heavy traffic on the roads.What I want to say is that nearly all parent or grandparent carry children’s school satchels on their own backs.I don’t know about you,I can’t bear the sight of it, to be honest.Grant that children are little, but they don’t come to the point where they are unable to carry school satchels.My granddaughter who is on the right side of 6 carrys it on her own.I often tell her that you as far as possible do your own things by yourself. I think although carrying school satchel is a minor matter,but we can’t neglect it.This way, children are apt to engender the dependent mentality and the sense of superiority which are harmful to their growth.
7 people like this
16 responses
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
1 Dec 15
This is a subject very dear to my heart. I'm a retired teacher of little ones starting school and I was always saying to parents and grandparents, let them carry their bags themselves.
2 people like this
• China
1 Dec 15
I am glad that I share your views.I don't like letting child have too much attention .
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
2 Dec 15
@changjiangzhibin89 some do expect to have everything done for them.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Sep 19
You are so right about this Chang. We walked miles to and from school and became very hardy in life from carrying books.
1 person likes this
• China
13 Sep 19
We shouldn't spoil kids rotten and should let them do what they are up to doing.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
8 Nov 11
I think that's a good point, but then again, I knew a lot of children of those ages who wanted to be carried because they were "tired". Well, I guess it carrying the satchel rather than the child saves that, then that's better than carrying both...
• China
9 Nov 11
That was a funny thing to hear.How far was the school from home,so that the children couldn't go to there on foot?
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
9 Nov 11
Maybe 6-8 blocks, I think after a few times walking them, they let them go with a group of kids their own ages - of course, we didn't have book bags back then, had to carry them in our arms - guess they just didn't think about backpacks for kids I know I was a first in college doing it...
• United States
31 Dec 11
I think it depends on their age and what they are carrying. They have actually done studies on how much weight is in a students back pack and how to create a backpack that is very supportive of the weight. Now my kids are young and it's rare they have anything heavy beyond a pair of shoes and then they should carry their bag. However, if they have alot in there and it's too heavy it's better to help them out then let them struggle/hurt themselves or end up dragging the bag and damaging the bag and it's contents.
• China
1 Jan 12
Usually ,the backpacks are not that heavy for children to carry.It is better for parents to help them sort out backpacks and take some that don't need that day away before they go to school .
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
8 Nov 11
Children's bones aren't fully developed, especially the age you are talking about, and carrying heavy loads can distort them. It's been proven that children are beginning to develop back problems because of the heavy loads they are forced to carry. When I was in school in the 60s and 70s we had lockers and only carried books home that we needed for homework. The new schools don't have lockers because of terrorism concerns or whatever. I think a good solution is a book bag with wheels and a handle. That's what I used when I took some college classes and it was a good solution.
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
9 Nov 11
I do agree that children bones are not develop. In fact I have back problem right now because when I was in elementary. I'm the one carrying my bag. Just imagine. Having eight subjects a day. Just imagine carrying eight books eight notebooks and eight assignment books. Its so heavy. I envy other children who has their guardian carry their bags and they can play. While I can't play simply because I need to guard my bag.
• China
9 Nov 11
According to relevant information,as long as the weight of schoolbag does not exceed 10 per cent of child's weight,It has no influence on their spines.Here,the schoolbags of children of primary school and kindergarten are not all that heavy.
@much2say (53699)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Dec 11
I have often thought this to myself. In kindergarten, my daughter and all of her class had backpacks . . . but all that was in it were their homework folders - and their lunch bags if they had one. I noticed throughout the year that some of the children carried them themselves - and others their parents carried it in for them. Well, we had to walk to school (only a block, not far) and I always had my daughter carry it on her own. It wasn't heavy at all . . . and it was for the sake of giving her the responsibility to carry what she needed for school - or at least getting her to have good habits in remembering to do so. I was pushing a stroller for her baby brother - and I already had a handful to carry - so I wanted her to know she had the responsibility of helping out and to at least care for her own things as she was old enough to. She is now in first grade and she knows to put it by the front door so she doesn't forget to take it as we still walk to school. Still, I see other parents carrying their children's backpack. I know last year one parent always complained that their child NEVER wanted to hold his backpack. And so, the parent kept bringing in all of his things, putting his homework folder away for him, putting his snack bag in the bin for him, etc etc. They complained but were very passive about it, so of course the boy never did anything for himself. He always ran into the classroom to chat with friends - and did not help his parents put away what he should have been putting away. And this year I still see the boy's parent's carrying on with the same complaints - yet they are STILL carrying his things.
@much2say (53699)
• Los Angeles, California
1 Jan 12
You know what - the teacher even mentioned at the beginning of the year it's more about teaching your child to take on responsibility but having them proud to do so at the same time. They were to put their snack bags in a box, the lunch boxes on the table, put the homework folder in the homework box, and put their backpacks in the appropriate bin. It's a morning routine - it doesn't take long - and sure my daughter needed help with it sometimes as she would often get distracted. But at least she knew what she was supposed to do and can mostly do it all on her own now.
• China
31 Dec 11
I am so glad that you devote your attention to your children's moral education.In fact ,the problem isn't who carried the backpack but that let children cultivate a good habit in which they love labour and do what they are able to do from childhood so that they can well stand on their own feet in future.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
8 Nov 11
I agree with you. You are right that almost all the parents or grand parents will carry the bags for the children. I know the bags are heavy. But anyway usually it won't be a long way. Most of the children will spend within 15 minutes going to school on foot. So it is OK. We shouldn't spoil the children too much. This is something that they can handle. My son is very dependent and he doesn't want us to carry the bag for him. Perhaps he feel it is a shame. I love China
• China
9 Nov 11
It is good for children to do what they can do ,this way they will grow to take pride in labour.It makes sense for you to being strict with your child.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
9 Nov 11
My daughter is 7 and in grade two.. everyday she brings 6-7 books on her bag, at times she leaves one or two because it wont be used that day, other than the books inside her bag are also notebook that also correspond to the number of subjects.. so if i let her carry it alone, she will break her back my friend..so we opted for a bag in a trolley..those bag with wheels..she can just pull it on her own..but at times when i need to wash her bag i let her use a backpack which my hubby carries for her till inside the room.. at these age it is heavy and i do not think it is right for them to carry it alone.
• China
10 Nov 11
It is thoughtful for you to buy your daughter the schoolbag with wheels.The reason why I started this dicussion is that I want to make a point in which children must do what they are able to do from childhood.
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
9 Nov 11
Its depends on how heavy the load is. If its just light then let your child carry his or her things. But if its heavy then I think its up to parents or who ever with them to carry their bags. For me theirs nothing wrong with that. But to be specific with it. Its better that theirs a grown up who going to carry those loads. Since they are children and theirs will always a time that they will forget their things. Now what you will do? Scold your child for being a child?
• China
10 Nov 11
Parents as far as possible help their children to sort out the schoolbags every day and pick out what they don't need that day so that the weight of schoolbags may be reduced .
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
8 Nov 11
Hi changjiangzhibin You made me recall the great days when I was a kid and a great thanks for this. As a kid, I remember my grandfather taking me to school. The bags at that time were never that heavy and it was like at times I did carry them and at others he would carry them. However, today, the bags of these kids have grown out of proportions and I am puzzled why? Why they load so much on these tender shoulders and age? Anyways I alone cannot change that for one. Now for your discussions' response - The kids at the kindergarten, are quite tender and this is why many parents and grandparents take that burden with them. But as kids age, their bodies become a little stronger and then they carry the bags on their back. But I personally prefer to have a monthly bus pass (if the school doesnt provide for one) or even a cab or even rickshaw for the school as that would help the kids in not loading themselves much. I agree with you that the overburdening does have negative effects in the long run for many and some start showing the signs early. We should be watchful and careful.
• China
9 Nov 11
Nowadays many children have beverage ,between-meal nibbles ,etc. in their school bags,besides books and pen.Here middle school students normally buy monthly bus ticket, if the school is some distance away.Over here we saw nothing of the rickshaw long ago.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
8 Nov 11
I made my kids carry their rucksacks right from daycare. They were never heavy, and just had their communication book with them, and come school-aged times, the teachers didn't give them a bunch of stuff to carry, everything was kept in their classrooms except for communication books and lunches and homeworks. I may have carried their jackets for them, though, as some afternoons were warmer than the mornings, but that wasn't often. I do see other parents carrying their kids' rucksacks, though. I want my kids to be independent.
• China
10 Nov 11
It seems to me that you attach importance to child's moral education .In my opinion, letting children carry the schoolbag on their own can make them cultivate a habit of loving labour from childhood.
@EdnaReyes (2622)
• Philippines
8 Nov 11
You have some points here but school backpacks now are full of stuff that are not fit for a child to carry. Prolonged carrying those loaded backpacks may destroy their posture and may lead to more serious condition.
• China
9 Nov 11
It is better for them to use the schoolbags with two braces.
• China
8 Nov 11
Yes,I don't underdtand what those parents or grandparents think.Especially the childrens' grandparents,they are the generation who suffered a lot of hard working or farming and then know that hard laboring can do everyone good.But why do they do everything for their kids?I doggedly insist letting my son do what he is able to do.
• China
9 Nov 11
I guess most of grandparents want their grandchildren to enjoy what they didn't do in their childhood.However I don't know if they have thought that it is not so much love as being harmful to them.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
8 Nov 11
it doesn't happen over here, also the kids are proud if they carry their own bag on their back. They go to school on the age of 2.5 old (about 2-3 mornings or afternoons) from the age of 4 years old it's law and they go to basic school. The only thing we parent might carry is all the drawings and stuff they made.
• China
9 Nov 11
Oh ! they go to school at the age of 2.5.I wonder if it is kindergarten?
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
8 Nov 11
I think when the children are not that big to be able to carry school bag, then it should be carried by someone able. But not for old grannies, because their bones are by themselves fragile already. When our child was just a small girl, a nanny sends her off to school and drags her bag with rollers for her. But when she was old enough, she just carries a back pack.
• China
8 Nov 11
In fact, at their age there are fewer things in their school bag so they are perfectly able to carry it.
@nezavisima (7408)
• Bulgaria
8 Nov 11
to you straight. I think these bags that kids can wear them only harm. my children go to nursery and their sores, and I wear it to wash their sorrow put them back there and give them to wear them. must still comply with the kids these people who write the program. when I went to school wearing a large backpack with lots uchelnitsi and then I could not stand it get this distortion. interesting discussion. nice day!
• China
10 Nov 11
There is something in what you said. thanks a lot!