Do preschoolers need backpacks?

The pigeon holes at Claire’s ‘senior toddler’ class is filled with backpacks of all colors and designs. In the mornings, you can see all the preschoolers piling in with their parents, carrying their own backpacks. Once in a blue moon, you see a younger kid who has just been upgraded to the senior class walk in empty-handed with their mom carrying their daycare bag. But it’s not long before they skip in with a little backpack as well. That’s called peer pressure. They learn young. Preschoolers need backpacks because it helps them learn to be responsible and independent. Backpacks are also the easiest and safest bags for preschoolers to carry. Not only that, it helps prepare them mentally and physically for elementary school. 

Does my child need a backpack for preschool?

Peer pressure aside, I think that all preschoolers (3 to 5 year olds) should have backpacks. They will definitely be carrying backpacks when they go to school so why not prepare them for it beforehand? A toddler or preschooler-sized backpack is the perfect introduction to backpacks. How can your child not like carrying this adorable backpack to daycare?

Check it out on Amazon

Why are backpacks important for preschoolers?

• Backpacks are the easiest and safest bag for preschoolers to carry
• The multiple compartments make it much easier for your toddler (or you) to find something quickly
• Backpacks are easy to keep clean
• It’s much easier to find a backpack that is the right size for your child compared to any other type of bag.
• All good quality childrens’ backpacks come with safety features to protect your child’s spine and posture.
• Teaches preschoolers responsibility for their own belongings
• Packing and taking care of their own backpacks help them feel independent
• It’s the best way to keep their stuff safe and dry.
• Preschooler backpacks can fit A4 folders to keep important documents and artwork.
• Provides a boost to your child’s self-confidence.
• When they start going to ‘real school’, they will have their familiar backpack with them.
• It sets up a good preschool routine from the beginning
• Some backpacks have insulated pouches to keep snacks and drinks cold.

This Noohoo backpack is made of Neoprene which is light, shock-proof, scratch-proof, easy-clean and waterproof.

Check it out on Amazon

Getting your preschooler excited about their backpack

Most kids are excited enough about a new backpack that is all theirs to keep and take care of. But if you want to really get them into it, involve them in the whole process:

• make measuring them for their backpack fun
• let them choose the design and color that they like
• label their backpack so they know it’s theirs – read how to safely label your child’s backpack
• Pimp it up so it’s really unique
• Make a fuss about their new responsibility
• Let them decide what to put in it (within reason and weight limit)
• Let them pack their own backpack for daycare (with your supervision of course)

To wrap up

Giving your preschooler a backpack is an awesome way of helping them learn to be responsible and independent. Not only that, it helps prepare them for elementary school. If you ask me, preschoolers definitely need backpacks. The benefits are enormous.