In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic many places are still encouraging or require people to wear masks to cover their nose and mouth. That can be challenging for an adult to adjust to, let alone a child. An expert with OSF HealthCare has some suggestions for getting your child to “mask up.” Kids, generally, are not as familiar with masks, or don’t understand why they’re necessary. Couple that with masks that may not fit a child’s face well or ear loops that hurt or are uncomfortable, and it has the potential to lead to more stress on them and their family. Lori Grooms, Director of Prevention Control – OSF HealthCare offers this suggestion:
“You can create a mask and have it with ties, so the child can practice putting the mask on the doll or the teddy bear and explain to them. It gives you the opportunity to talk to them about it and then the opportunity to them to talk and teach someone else about it, someone that they want to protect. And it makes it less fearful for them if they are teaching someone how not to be afraid.”
Another good way to help you child adjust to wearing a mask is to find one that can be decorated or has a theme. You also want to make a couple of trial runs with the mask well before leaving your house so there isn’t a public meltdown.
