- Medical experts recommend wearing masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, alongside social or physical distancing and handwashing.
- Children of all ages are more likely to embrace wearing masks if their parents are modeling that behavior.
- As children get older, you can be more transparent with information about COVID-19.
- It's important, however, to monitor your child's anxiety levels and adjust your conversation based on their individual needs and age.
Most adults understand the need to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the science behind several studies that have proven their effectiveness.
However, getting children to comprehend the importance of wearing masks during the pandemic can come with its own set of unique challenges depending on a child's age.
Here's how experts advise parents should approach the topic of mask wearing to children at different ages in order to help them best understand how to keep themselves and others safe during the COVID-19 crisis.
For kids and adults, she acknowledges the need to get used to mask wearing.
"As with most things, comfort will come with time - think of jeans as an example. Once broken in, they're really comfortable, but getting there takes time"
For 2- to 4-year-olds, Gulley says the most important thing parents can do is wear masks themselves.
"Every toddler is different, but the majority will want to do as others are doing - particularly those they care the most about. If mom, dad, and siblings are wearing masks, they'll want to wear a mask too,"
If your toddler seems scared or fearful of wearing a mask, Gulley suggests showing them pictures of other kids wearing masks, drawing masks on characters they're coloring, or putting a mask on a favorite stuffed animal.
"Even though it's not necessary to wear masks at home, with toddlers it's a valuable exercise to get them more comfortable with the idea in public,"
With kids in kindergarten through second grade, Gulley said the greatest impact is still being made by those around them.
"Modeling good mask behavior will get your kids more excited about doing the same,"
It's also a good time to start talking to kids about the "why" of mask wearing.
"Parents can explain we're all wearing masks right now to keep our germs to ourselves"
Kids this age are gaining a better understanding of taking care of others. They are compassionate and want to do the right thing, which is why framing the conversation like this may help them get on board.
"Parents can also consider using a relatable analogy as part of their child-friendly language," Gulley suggested. She gave this example, "Like Batman wears a mask and cape to shield him from the bad guys, we're now going to wear masks when we're out in public too."
