How can I encourage my child to keep a mask on his or her face? Helping your child adapt to wearing a mask is a topic that has raised concerns with parents everywhere. Whether you are currently living in a state where wearing a mask (for children over age 2) is now mandatory, or you just want to ensure protection for your child and others, it is important to prepare.
Check out these seven quick tips designed to help make wearing a mask easier on everyone.
1. Explain Why
Use easy-to-understand language and positive phrasing. For example, you might say, “Many people are sick right now. Wearing a mask will protect you from germs.”
2. Take a Picture
Ask family members or friends to take pictures of themselves wearing masks. You can even arrange a virtual get together so everyone can show off their masks.
3. Practice Makes Perfect
Shape the behavior by breaking it down into smaller steps. Then practice and reinforce each step.
- Holding the mask.
- Putting it against his or her face
- Securing the elastic
4. Let’s Pretend
Integrate masks into your favorite pretend play schemes. Encourage your child to dress up as a doctor, nurse or veterinarian.
5. Get Creative
Allow your child to decorate their mask using crayons or markers. If you are planning to make a DIY cloth mask, allow him/her to pick the fabric color or pattern.
6. Start with Familiar Clothing
Choose clothing that your child already wears and turn it into a mask. Some ideas include: a scarf, balaclava or bandana
7. Stuffed Animals & Dolls Need Masks Too
Put a mask on your child’s favorite stuffed animal or doll as a reminder that we are all in this together.
Would you like to print your own copy of this tip sheet?
CLICK HERE to access the printable version in ENGLISH
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This looks great. Will this be available in Spanish?
Hi – I actually just received the translation from a follower so I will post that very soon!
I have made the edits – you can now download this file in Spanish, see the bottom of this post for the link.
Beautiful! I will use and share!! My only suggestion– is it possible for you to make black and white versions?
I’m not sure if I will be able to do that due to the limitations of the program with which it was created, but I will look into that. In the meantime, you may be able to print in grayscale to reduce the amount of color ink used.
Great Resource! Thanks for getting Spanish version out!!
Dana, I really like your quick tips for parents on How to Help Your Child to Wearing a Mask. I am a school administrator and wish to share this with parents electronically and/or as a handout. I just want to make sure what I need to do so I don’t infringe on copyright issues.
Thank You
Hi,
You absolutely have my permission to share this infographic with parents. All I ask is that you leave the copyright information (at the bottom) and logo intact. Feel free to email me with any questions: solutions@biasbehavioral.com.
Thanks!
Great resource! Thank you for providing it in Spanish too!
I’m the School Counselor and would iove to share this with our parents. Are we allowed to share it with our parents on our school’s Facebook page?
You absolutely have my permission to share this infographic with parents on your school’s Facebook page. All I ask is that you leave the copyright information (at the bottom) and logo intact. Feel free to email me with any questions: solutions@biasbehavioral.com.
Thanks!
This is a great resource! Would you be willing to make the information accessible to people with visual impairments? You can do this by putting the information on infographics into regular text in the post or in the alt text for the picture. This makes it readable by people who use screenreaders or who use software that converts text in to the size and color contrast that they need.
Sure, I’d be happy to do that. I believe there is too much text on the image to fit in the alt text box but I’d be happy to integrate the information right into the body of the blog post. I will work on this tomorrow and can send you an email once it’s been edited!
May I suggest to add something about a mask keeps our germs from getting on people or toys.
Since that is the main purpose of masks at the moment.
Unfortunately, I am unable to change the actual wording on the graphic at this point in time. This graphic was created a while back and was designed to be generic since the information was rapidly changing over time. The example of “what to say” is just that and the actual words said out loud to a child as an explanation, can be edited to fit your needs.