How Parents Encourage and Maintain Mask Wearing
Whether you approve of schools reopening or not, if your district decides to reopen schools, your children will be required to wear a mask. Many parents are concerned that their child will refuse to or even take their mask off during the day. How can parents encourage and maintain mask wearing when they struggle with this at home?
These are some of the number one question parenting expert, guidance counselor, licensed educational psychologist, and board-certified behavior analyst, Reena B. Patel (LEP, BCBA) is hearing from clients, friends, and her community.
Reena offers a number of ways to help your child get there:
Tell them why? Do not say you need to wear a mask without the why? Keep the conversation developmentally appropriate. For example: there is a virus/bug/germ in the air and it can go from our body to someone's body when we cough, spit, talk, or sneeze too close to someone else. Answer their questions, “will I get to take it off?”
Model it. Children are more likely to follow actions that their parents and those around them engage in. Lead by example.
Start to practice at home and in increments. Children want to feel successful and receive praise for something new. Start wearing masks at home in increments. For example- start with 5 minutes and pick times of the day to start. First thing in the morning or right after lunch?
Let this be part of your rules. In order to keep everyone safe, we all have to wear a mask. Younger children, especially company when you frame this as a rule.
Be creative and allow for choices. Children like to be in control of their decisions. Provide a variety of masks to choose from. Be creative and allow them to design their masks. Think of this mask as part of your child wardrobe. Make a matching mask for your child’s stuffed animal or doll.
Be flexible for kids who have sensory challenges. Create a safe space with social distance if your child needs to adjust or remove the mask from a short period of time.
Just like with any behaviors you want to see occur again, use positive reinforcement, This will increase the likelihood your child will automatically wear the mask the next day.
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