Tips to help kids adjust to masks, according to experts and parents
- 08 Sep 2020
While face masks have become the new norm for adults, the experience of children adjusting to face masks has been more of a challenge. As children return to the school, the challenge is escalating with many experts and parents seeking new creative ways to make the wearing of masks more sustainable for children and young people.
Parents are getting creative, tying masks behind teddy bear ears, introducing masked superheroes to their children, and trying to seamlessly blend indoor mask-wearing into the daily household routine.
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Emma Beesley, a chartered business psychologist and a mother of five kids all under 10 years old, broached the subject with her children by comparing the face mask to a sunscreen.
“I have had all the what, why, how questions and have had to provide responses that make sense to the children and create the right outcome,” Emma said.
“I have compared the mask to a sunscreen, in that the sunscreen keeps us safe from the sun, and masks keep us and others safe from any bad germs,” Emma added.
Emma stressed that being a role model will help children embrace the idea of wearing face masks. "There is never a time when children are not watching your every move!” she said, “if I wear my mask, they are more likely to follow my lead."
“Encouraging children to wear the mask is the first step however, ensuring they keep the mask on their face is the real challenge. If the mask feels uncomfortable, children would be unlikely to keep it on. They would naturally frequently touch their face to make adjustments which could increase the risk of infection."