Five Tips for Helping Children Get Used to Face Masks
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The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public to help stop the spread of COVID -19.
In my opinion, wearing a mask has nothing to do with freedom and everything to do with hygiene.
If my family can do one small thing to help stop the spread of this terrible disease, we will do that.
*Wearing masks does not replace the need for social distancing.
*No masks for children under 2
(Scroll to the bottom for my mask roundup. )
It looks like masks may become a way of life for the foreseeable future. With that in mind, I put together a few tips when introducing masks with young children. Wearing a mask or face covering is a new feeling for children. Go slow and practice wearing them in small doses. Invite your children to ask questions and answer honestly.
Five tips for helping children adjust to life with face coverings:
1. Acknowledge how different it feels to be wearing this covering: “This is a new feeling, wearing a mask. We’ve never done this before.” AND/OR “We are practicing wearing a mask so we can get used to this new feeling.”
2. Acknowledge that it feels very different to see people wearing masks: “It feels so different to see kids and grown ups wearing masks. We are used to seeing their whole face and now we only see their eyes.”
3. Remember that children often rely on facial cues when communicating. Masks make that challenging : “When we see people wearing a mask it feels harder to tell how they are feeling! We are used to being able to see if their mouth looks happy, sad, angry or confused. Hmmm, I wonder if we can tell how someone is feeling with just eyes.”
4. Be playful with your mask: Lately, my kids have been playing a game where they guess what the other’s mouth is doing under the mask by watching their eyes. This kind of child-led, made-up games are so valuable in assimilating mask wearing into the every day. Encourage this kind of play by leaving masks around, and by being playful with your own.
5. Show your child that you are still yourself, even you have a mask on: It might seem obvious, but young children need this reassurance. Here is how to do it: “I am going to try on my new mask. I am still me when I wear my mask and when I take my mask off.”
Make some face coverings for your child’s stuffies or dolls so that they can play about this new experience. Playing will help them work out feelings and gain mastery over the experience.
Let them practice wearing masks in the mirror. Leave a mask in front of a low mirror and invite them to see how they look with it on and off.
Children don’t have a frame of reference for mask wearing. They do not see children in masks in their picture books or in their favorite tv shows. Remember how new this is for them.
The good news? My children have been practicing wearing their masks for a few weeks now. In the beginning it felt impossible! It took time, but you know what? Now it is barely an issue. It has become part of their routine.
I highly recommend experimenting with different masks and find what is most comfortable for your child. You can even make masks from old soft t-shirts. You absolutely do not need to buy face coverings. There are so many resources online for no-sew face coverings. Below, I am listing the masks that we have personally purchased and used. Please use this as a resource, but also know that I make no claims about safety.
Mask Roundup:
I love these masks because they are adjustable. Once they are on they stay put. And they are soft and so cute.These come in kids and adult sizes and they donate one mask for every mask purchased.
Page Lauren Masks from Maisonette
These are a family favorite. They are very thin and comfy. Not adjustable, but the fit is pretty good.
These are Sloane’s favorite. They fit her tiny face very well, lightweight, stay up, stylish. The kids size is too small for Nate and Ruby (10 and 12yo).
These fit Nate and Ruby very well. They are silky, thin and dry quickly. Stays up well. Great for the beach.
Stretchy and fit all three kids. Stay up, a bit thicker than the others, but not hot. Has a pocket for filter.
Sloane loves wearing these to camp! They fit well and are so cheery.
Dolan (adult mask)
I love this mask. It is so soft and stylish. It is a bit thick for a hot day, but will be perfect this fall.
Odells Shop (adult )
These are my everyday go-to. Perfect weight, full coverage, adjustable. Great for men too.
