Shani Thornton, MS, CCLS, RWWP ChildLifeMommy.com [email protected]
Tips for Parents on Mask Wearing
● Provide simple explanations of why we need to wear a mask
○ It is to protect ourselves and others from COVID19
■ If they haven’t yet explained COVID19 then, start there.
Video: DIY Child Life: Explaining COVID19 (all ages)
● Play: having kids get comfortable through play. Letting them incorporate mask-wearing
into dramatic play. Modeling it for them at home, putting it on their studded animals.
● Choice Making: Kids need a lot of choices right now. Any time you can give them a
choice, do so.
○ What materials do they want their mask to be?
○ What colors or patterns?
○ Can they decorate it with stickers or markers?
○ What ties do they want?
● Validate those emotions: Kids need to feel heard and validated. All emotions should be
accepted.
○ “This really does stink that we have to wear masks”
○ “I’m with you buddy, I don’t want to wear one either.”
○ “It can be a little scary to see other people wearing masks.”
Here are some resources that parents can use at home
● Video: Superheros behind the mask
● Video: If they are in the hospital than this is what healthcare providers are having to
wear.
Coloring Sheets with PPE
Top Related