How to help your child adjust to wearing facemask?
As COVID-19 continues to spread, it is vital to take steps to stay fit, for instance, washing hands frequently and practicing social distancing. One significant precaution families should take is wearing a face mask in public, particularly in circumstances where social distancing is hard.
Children 2 years and older must wear a cloth face mask when going out outside their home. Parents can assist kids adjust to wearing a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth by taking the below-mentioned steps:
- Children learn through play, and this can also aid them procedure their feelings. Offer your kid a mask for their preferred stuffed animal, stitch a matching mask for a doll or draw masks on cartoon characters. Practice placing the mask on their plaything and think about having your kid practice wearing the mask with the plaything to regularize the situation.
- Begin by educating your kid on why wearing a face mask is significant to assist stop the spread of COVID-19. Use age-suitable language to talk to your kid about coronavirus. Paul Edalat says that for older children, you can share more information and refer to reliable resources that show how masks can assist stop the virus from spreading.
- As face masks become more popular, it is getting simpler to find kid-friendly options and patterns. Search for cloth masks that include your child’s preferred color. You can also have your kid assist select a design, thus, they feel a part of the procedure. When searching for kid-friendly mask options, ensure you select a cloth face covering that is easily washable and sized for your kid’s age.
- When leaving the home, have them check that everybody has their mask available. You can ask older siblings to assist younger siblings by reminding them to sport their mask.
- Ensuring your kid’s mask fits comfortably and correctly will assist stop them from fiddling with it. A cloth face covering must fit over your kid’s mouth and nose and be secured below their chin. Stay away from any openings on the sides by correcting the mask’s fit so it is cozy. Make sure that your kid can breathe easily when sporting the mask. When putting on your kid’s mask, or when teaching your kid how to put on their mask, ensure that the hands are washed thoroughly.
- Whenever you introduce something novel into your kid’s environment, it can assist to practice and gradually get them comfortable with the change. Prior to bringing your kid out in public in a mask, practice putting on the mask and sporting it for short periods in your house. You can look in the mirror to clarify how it should fit and begin with just a few minutes.
Paul Edalat further states that while sporting a mask can be an adjustment, try to use optimistic language and strengthen why wearing a face mask is useful for your family and for others in the society. Focusing on the things you can control and thinking positively can go a long way in lessening anxiety about coronavirus.