New Normal: 5 Ways to Teach Your Child to Get Used to Wearing a Face Mask

With states in different phases of reopening, the challenge that people face at present is to hold on to whatever gains we had from stay-at-home measures and business shutdowns, and to continue the prevention of contagion. For such a challenge, wearing a mask is a major step to the solution.

Despite this, not all people find such a solution welcoming. Children, especially, can be a bit cranky about embracing the "new normal" which includes regularly wearing of face masks.

Nevertheless, our young ones are ideally capacble of learning a new practice. In fact, they can be "the family monitors" who remind everyone at home not to forget their face masks every time they go out.

A lot of kids enjoy the opportunity given them to feel ethically superior to family members older than them, including their parents. Adults, on the other hand, more often than not, make everything so easy.

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What Parents Can Do

Face coverings or cloth face covers on both adults and children who are more than two years old can help slow down the spread, not just of COVID-19, but of any infection.

Most of the time, kids are hesitant to wear a face mask because it makes them feel uncomfortable. However, we, as parents, can take this feeling away gently. Here are some tips we can try to help our children wear masks the whole time whenever they go out.

1. Encourage Them to Get Used to It 

As much as you can, give your children ample time to practice putting on their mask before the time comes when there is a need for them to wear one outside home. To make them get used to the face covering, teach them how to put the mask on, and take it off by themselves.

2. Bring out the Artists in Your Kids by Encouraging them to Design their Own Mask

This is an effective strategy to help the little ones have that sense of ownership and control over a certain situation. Depending on what type of face covering, allow your kids to decorate the mask any way they want--draw with coloring materials and markers, or put on some colorful stickers on it. 

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3. Join Your Kids in Decorating or Designing Their Own Face Mask

If your face masks are homemade, let your older children help you make them. With the rising need, you'll find "no-sew" face mask kits everywhere. For mothers who opt to sew masks, you might want your kids to choose the patterns or fabric for the coverings they will wear.

4. Have Fun While Making the Masks

If your kids are young, initiate some games to play while they practice wearing the face masks. Your children can pretend to be a nurse or doctor while they wear face masks. Add some props like doctor kits and stuffed toy patients. Aside from being fun, this might even motivate them to do well in future careers.

5. Have a Few Face Masks Handy While the Children Play

This strategy will allow your kids to use their imagination. It will also make them more creative as they think of more ways to use the masks during playtime. This way, masks would eventually become a more regular part of their everyday lives.

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