5 Tips To Help Your Child Wear a Mask

If you watch the news, read articles on social media, or enter public spaces, you have most likely noticed that toddlers and children are not the only ones having tantrums over wearing a mask. They are hot, itchy, and can be uncomfortable even for the best of us. For a child with sensory challenges, it can be downright unbearable. Here are some quick tips to increase your child’s tolerance to mask wearing!

1. Engage the child in play using masks as props, such as superhero attire, “secret keepers”, etc. You can even have funny face games where you guess what face you are making under the mask.

2. If your child has a comfort toy(s), provide their lovey with a mask as well to help give them a co-conspirator!

3. Provide your child with heavy sensory input such as compressions, big hugs, swinging, jumping, rocking, etc to help the child organize and have some reserves to pull from when they start to tire out and become overwhelmed.

4. Have your child practice wearing a mask in the mirror, and around the house to normalize the use so that they do not dread public outings or school days because of the mask.

5. Explore different shapes, fits, fabrics and designs to find the one that gives your child the most comfort and confidence while wearing.