Starfish Therapies

A pediatric therapy company operating in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. We provide physical, occupational, speech and aquatic therapy services in the most beneficial and convenient setting for you and your child, including our clinic, currently located in Burlingame, your home, school or daycare.

  • Therapy Services
    • Our Services
    • Motor Smart Kids
    • Telehealth
    • Continuing Education
    • New Patient Forms
  • For Parents
    • FAQ
    • Games & Tools
    • Blog & Insights
    • Free Resources
    • FREE Yoga Cards!
  • About Us
    • Why Choose Us?
    • Our Mission & Values
    • Our Team
    • Careers
  • Get Started
    • Contact Us
    • Plan of Care Evaluation
    • Telehealth Consult
  • Cart
  • Try Alphabet Yoga Cards for Free >>

Backpack Fitting

August 3, 2021 by Stacy Menz

It’s getting to that time of year again – back to school! And this year is like starting anew in so many more ways than usual. Many students have been out of the routine of attending school and the physical demands that come with it for a whole school year! Even those who returned to campus in some capacity had reduced loads and overall time demands as compared to the typical school year. This means that having the appropriately fit backpack to maintain posture and safety and reduce risks of back pain or injury is of even higher importance! Check out our tips and reminders for making sure that you’re student starts the year off right:

How to Measure your Child for a Backpack: 

  • The top of the backpack should be two inches below the top of their shoulder blades
  • The bottom of the backpack should be at waist level or slightly above waist level
  • Pick a backpack that has padding on the shoulder straps for extra comfort
  • If your child’s backpack has a hip belt, wearing it can help reduce the load from their neck and shoulders

Backpack Safety Tips:  

  • Ideally your child’s backpack does not weigh more than 10%-15% of their body weight
  • Encourage your child to wear the shoulder straps on each shoulder to help balance out the load
  • Try to distribute the weight in your child’s backpack evenly by loading the heaviest items closest to your child’s back

For more information check out our informational handout and this previous post!

Related

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: backpack safety, education, gross motor development, kids, moms, Motor Smart Kids, occupational therapy, physical therapy, Starfish Therapies

Search

Primary Programs

  • Motor Smart Kids
    • Free Play
    • Kids Action Hour
    • Yoga for Kids of All Abilities
    • Functional Movement Screen
    • Video Running Analysis
    • Youth Sports Injury Prevention
    • Concussion Screening and Management
  • Continuing Education
    • Adults with Cerebral Palsy: Evidence Based Evaluation and Treatment
  • Resources
    • Telehealth
    • Informational Handouts
    • Useful Websites
    • Recommended Readings
    • Helpful Products
    • Blogs to Follow
    • Favorite Therapy Products at amazon.com

What Clients Are Saying

“My child has been diagnosed with hypotonia, we brought him to Starfish Physical Therapy since he was 8 months, he started from not moving at all, to crawling, to a little walker, he is now 3 years old running around everywhere with confidence and happiness. We can see his obvious improvement , that just tears us up sometimes! Every exercise he did in each session and everything the therapist thought he was applying into his daily life. Moreover, Starfish therapists are so nice and loving, the session is not just a therapy activity anymore, it becomes a part of our family life, the most important exciting activity for my son every week. Starfish is our family!! We feel so lucky to have Starfish helping our son, the endless effort you provided to him, changed his life. As a parent, nothing is more grateful than this.”

Recent Blog Posts

  • ABC’s of Pediatric Occupational Therapy
  • Out-toeing in Children: Why Kids Walk with Feet Pointing Out
  • Teaching Babies to Roll from Belly to Back: Sleep Solutions During Motor Milestones
  • Why You Need to Know What’s Really Causing Your Child’s In-Toeing
  • Fun Ways to Build Lateral Stability in Kids with Movement Challenges

Subscribe To Our Emails

Subscribe and receive access to our FREE products, incredible list of pdfs, websites, readings, and many other useful recommendations!

Policies

  • Full Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • HIPAA Patient Notice
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cancellation Policy

Patient Resources

  • New Patient Intake Forms
  • Starfish Resources
  • Our Services

Clinical Resources

  • Career Opportunties

Contact

  (650) 638-9142
  (650) 638-9141
  admin@starfishtherapies.com

Join Our Online Community

Location

BURLINGAME
  1541 Old Bayshore Highway
  Burlingame, CA 94010
 
  Directions to Doors 1 and 2

Search

© Copyright 2025 Starfish Therapies · All Rights Reserved · Powered by babaLucas

 

Loading Comments...