Simple steps can ease children’s attitudes about wearing masks

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Masks are an important school supply this year, especially if local school districts are planning on having in-person classes and activities this fall.

But having children wearing a mask doesn’t have to be a daily battle, says a Purdue nursing expert.

Meg Sorg, a clinical assistant professor and a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner in Purdue’s College of Health and Human Sciences, says now is the time for kids to practice wearing a mask, especially if the school district has delayed the start of the school year.

Sorg – herself the mother of four children, including two in elementary school – says parents need to stay updated on the requirements issued by states, school districts and communities regarding face coverings. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children ages 2 and older can safely wear cloth masks or face coverings; those under 2 should not wear masks or coverings due to suffocation risks,

Parents and caregivers should talk using age-appropriate terms to children frequently about the reasons for and importance of wearing a mask.

“Toddlers want to do everything themselves, so showing them how to correctly put on their mask and then letting them do it themselves can help increase the appeal of wearing it,” Sorg says. “Preschool children are great imitators, so they’re likely to follow examples set by parents or older siblings. School-aged children are all about rules, so explain to them that mask-wearing is a new rule they must follow.”

Allowing children to pick out or decorate their masks is one way to get more support. Once the child has a mask, be sure to have the child practice keeping the mask on over their nose and keeping hands off of their face. It is important to show the child how to properly remove the mask, as well as washing hands before and after placement or removal.

“It’s important as we go through this time to remember to point out and compliment them for correct practices. This is new to them, so be patient as they adjust and learn,” Sorg says.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.

Writer, Media contact: Matthew Oates, 765-586-7496 (cell), oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates

Source: Meg Sorg, mjbrock@purdue.edu

Related:

Time to reschedule canceled well-child doctor visits delayed by pandemic (Purdue News Service)

Kids need to wear masks when they go to school in person, and parents can help them get the hang of that (The Conversation)

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