Back To School Mask Practice Tips – If you’re fortunate enough to be able to send your children back for in-person learning this fall, your kids are going to have to adjust to from wearing a mask occasionally during the summer… to hours straight of having to cope with one while learning.
OAKLAND COUNTY MOMS EDUCATION ARTICLES & RESOURCES
An educator suggested I post a “Mask Practice” article for Back to School and sent me a helpful link with some ideas for kids of all ages. If you thought getting your child back on a normal sleep schedule for back to school was difficult, warming kids up to wearing a mask for hours daily is going to present an even greater challenge.
Back To School Mask Practice Tips
PRESCHOOL
Look for opportunities to be playful: Color a paper mask and add stickers to it. Decorate a fabric mask. Let them choose a mask with a favorite character or theme. Make masks for their stuffed animals or dolls too. Point out how many people wear masks, and show them
- Have a daily “Mask On!” moment. Make a plan to wear masks around the house at certain times of day, like from 10-11 am, or during certain activities, like setting the table for meals. Have your child help you decide when.
- Spend time reading a book, listening to a podcast, or watching a movie together with masks on.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (ages 5-12)
Typically, children ages 5 and up don’t just want to be told what to do – they want to understand why.
- Have a daily “Mask On!” moment. Make a plan to wear masks around the house at certain times of day, like from 10-11 am, or during certain activities, like setting the table for meals. Have your child help you decide when.
- Take your child for a summertime treat – like to get ice cream, play mini-golf, or visit their favorite playground – with masks on.
- Have your child(ren) watch a long movie with their masks on and reward them with healthy movie snacks for the entire duration of the move
JUNIOR HIGH & HIGH SCHOOL
Teens want to be independent. They want to be understood. And they’re at a developmental stage where they feel invincible.
- Visit parks, playgrounds and the beach with masks on, or other places you can safely social distance.
- Make plans with friends to wear masks while together, and log as much mask time as possible.
- Practice reading or playing video games with masks on and try to extend the time each day or session.
ARTICLE SOURCES
https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/coronavirus/how-to-help-kids-adjust-to-masks-before-school-starts-activities-to-practice-mask-wearing
https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/coronavirus/mask-up-tips-to-make-kids-more-comfortable-with-masks-broken-down-by-age/
ABOUT Connecticut Children’s
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center is a nationally recognized, 187-bed not-for-profit children’s hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation, we foster a patient- and family-centered environment with a focus on research, education and advocacy.
Photo Credit – news.uga.edu
For more info on back to school mask practice tips, visit www.connecticutchildrens.org.
