Wearing a mask can trigger sensory issues, even for those who generally do not even have them, because they are hot, with poor air flow and bring on feeling so uncomfortable and claustrophobic. Some kids get so upset just seeing someone wearing a mask, it can lead to anxiety, possibly from the stress of having a previous surgeries or lots of medical interventions.
Most of the services I’ve provided lately with my clients have been through the computer. While some of my clients are begging for sessions back in their home, I will be required to wear a mask myself and I struggle with this, not for safety purposes, but I wonder what kind of psychological stress it’s going to provide for kids when they can’t see the smile and emotions of the adults around them. What about those kids who have to solely on their hearing to follow directions, when they need that visual cue to help them. What kind of frustration is it going to bring to their daily lives? What happens when it’s time to go back to school and a mask could be required for learning?
Unfortunately, there will be places and spaces that will require kids to wear a mask in the future, probably indefinitely, so finding different alternatives and strategies to overcome this obstacle is going to be must in order to participate.
While I don’t have all the answers, I wanted to try and share some strategies that might be helpful to try with your kids. If you’ve found something helpful, please leave your strategies in the comments section so we can all learn how to overcome this obstacle together!
How To Teach Kids To Wear A Mask
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Let Them Put Masks On Their Toys When Playing
Before you even ask them to put on a mask, encourage them to put their masks on their stuffed animals, action figures, trucks — anything they want to put it on. Help them to fasten it if they need it, but let them do it. Having control over it, without needing to wear one themselves might help to reduce fear and anxiety. Might seem strange, but maybe even take a few photos of the toys they chose to put the masks on so you can use them for another strategy below.
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Teach Them How To Wear One By Demonstrating How To Wear Yours
Before you try and put one on your child, show them how you wear one. Touch the ear loop and fasten around one ear, then the other one. Show them how it goes up over the nose and try to take a few deep breaths and remain calm.
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Consider Buying HomeMade Masks
Some homemade fabric masks tend to be a little softer. Many people are making them with prints kids enjoy, featuring their favorite Disney character or sports team. Personalizing the mask might help make kids feel more of an attachment to the mask.
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Play Games Wearing the Mask
Say silly words and see if they can guess them while you are wearing them. Fasten the mask in a weird way and be silly with it, encouraging them to tell you how you need to fix it so they can learn how to wear it and be more relaxed around them.
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Try Wearing One At Home Before You Go Out
Don’t worry about fastening it on, even if they just hold it up to their mouth and over their nose with their hand for a few seconds, it’s a start. Then build up their tolerance, even if you set a timer for 5 seconds and remove it. But for some kids, don’t expect to just bring a mask along and hand it over, some kids will need some time to acclimate to them.
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Create A Story For Them To Read or Watch Using The Photos
Take the photos of their toys, snap a picture of yourself wearing one and create a story. Include why it’s important to wear masks and where you might need to wear a mask. You can purchase a copy of my e-book here and use it for your children, or it might even provide inspiration to create your own.
I created an e-book on how to wear a mask, which you can buy here.