Back Protectors whilst skiing

Last week I was helping dress the children for their ski lesson in my daughters class in Val d'Isère. I was suprised to see that over half the children there had back protectors. It had not even crossed my mind that children so young (4/5 year olds) should wear back protectors. As a physiotherapist and more importantly as a mother to three young children it was a top priority for me to find out if young children really should wear back protectors while skiing. I spoke to a very experienced childrens instructor who works for ESF. She said that all children should wear back protectors for the sole reason of injury during collisions. I am off to look for back protectors now!