How to Encourage Kids to Wear Face Masks

There are many adults who have a hard time wearing face masks, especially if they need to wear them throughout the day due to working in a public setting, so it’s understandable when children have a hard time wearing them. However, face masks are an integral part of ensuring that the spread of COVID-19 is prevented and that everyone is healthy and safe.

According to the CDC, children who are two years of age or older should wear a mask when they are in public or around people they don’t live with. Since many schools across the country are trying to reopen in order to provide children with the best possible education, it is necessary for kids to wear a mask while at school. This is understandably a difficult situation, but it is possible for kids to remain safe as long as they wear and use their mask and other PPE safety supplies properly.

Here are a few tips to help your child adjust to wearing a mask.

Explain The Purpose

Even though it is undoubtedly a difficult situation that our country is facing, children can be surprisingly resilient and understandable when they have as much information as possible. Help your child understand why masks are important and what the main goal is for wearing them. Let them know that there is a germ that is making people sick, and that it can be stopped when everyone wears a mask. Explain to them that masks can keep the germ away from them. Use simple language that they will understand (germ vs. virus), and be prepared for a variety of questions. The CDC offers a variety of resources for parents to use to help them talk with their children about COVID-19.

Focus on Comfort

Kids who are in school for hours at a time may have difficulty with the comfort of wearing a mask. Choose a children’s face mask that has soft, elastic ear straps so that there isn’t any friction behind their ears. Find a brand that is made with a breathable and soft material so that there isn’t any irritation on their nose, chin, or cheeks. The more comfortable and breathable the mask is, the more likely they will be able to wear it for long periods of time.

Show Them How to Use It

Kindergarten and elementary school students will have various opportunities to take off their mask to provide some relief, and while this will make the day easier, it is an opportunity for the mask to become contaminated. Show them how to safely put on and take off the mask – only touching the ear straps and washing their hands or using hand sanitizer before putting on the mask.

Make it Fun

Use your child’s imagination to your advantage! A mask is a great way for them to explore their inner superhero, villain, or any other character! There children’s face masks with endless possibilities for colors, patterns, designs, and images to make wearing a mask fun and even personal for them. And when you think about it, everyone who wears a mask is a superhero in some way.

Shop Nationwide Medical Supply For PPE Safety Supplies

For quality, affordable, breathable children’s face masks and other PPE safety supplies, shop our collection at Nationwide Medical Supply. We offer fast shipping and local pick-up for families in the Denver, Colorado, area. Learn more about how administrations can reopen schools safely, and contact us with any questions.