As kids start going back to school, many families are wondering how to help their children embrace mask wearing. The first thing I want to mention is that KIDS ARE RESILIENT! Kids can get used to nearly anything, especially the younger ones. To us, mask wearing might be a new uncomfortable necessity, but your children will adapt!
All summer long I've been interacting with kids and their parents around purchasing, fitting and wearing masks and I've gathered these five tips for helping kids to reach a comfort level with wearing their mask.
Model healthy behavior. Wear your face mask yourself! Kids are always watching and listening. They will notice how you talk about face masks and how you react when wearing one – and they will follow your lead.
Provide fun and colorful face mask options. Let your child choose his or her own style of cloth face covering. Let them decorate their mask with stickers or markers. If possible, allow your child to have a few different masks. This way they can be washed daily and you can let them decide which one to wear each day. It’s also always great to have an extra mask on hand just in case. In the shop we have kids masks in dozens of colorful patterns, check them out here.
With younger kids, introduce a sense of play around the masks. Buy or make a face mask for your child’s favorite stuffed animal or doll. Getting used to seeing their favorite toys with masks will help normalize mask wearing for your child.
Enlist your child's assistance. Ask them to help enforce mask wearing among family members. Create a sense of responsibility by having your child be the “mask monitor” for the family. Older children can help younger children remember to wear their masks. Kids always enjoy having an opportunity to show leadership and knowledge. They will love bossing you around in the mask department!
Make sure it fits well and is comfortable. Look for a mask that fits snugly under the chin and around the nose without gaps. Your child should be able to breathe easily in their mask and it should stay put while they talk and move around. If a mask is a little too loose for a child, try giving the ear straps a single twist before putting it on.
Above all, stay positive! Remind kids that we are doing this to keep ourselves and those around us healthy. I hope you found my tips helpful. Please add a comment below if you have any additional tips or suggestions!
