How Can I Talk to My Child About Wearing a Mask During Flu and COVID Season?

With flu season upon us and COVID still around, masks can be a helpful tool to keep germs at bay, even though they're no longer required in many places. If you’re wondering how to talk to your child about why some people still choose to wear masks, here are a few tips.

For young children, ages 2 to 4 (remember, masks aren't recommended for kids under 2), it's best to use simple language they can understand. You could say something like, "Sometimes people wear masks to help stop germs from spreading, or to keep from getting sick."

Encourage your child to ask questions but keep your answers straightforward. If they’re visiting a healthcare provider, you can explain that doctors and nurses wear masks to help everyone stay healthy.

For older school-aged children, you can emphasize the idea of "keeping our germs to ourselves." You might say, "We all have germs, and sometimes they make us sick. Wearing a mask helps keep those germs from spreading to others." If they ask why people are still wearing masks now, you can explain that it's a way we can continue to help prevent the spread of germs, especially during flu season.

Avoid using scary language or focusing on negative consequences if someone doesn’t wear a mask. Instead, give your child space to ask questions and explore their feelings about seeing others in masks. Helping them feel comfortable around masks can reduce any negative associations.

For older children, you can also remind them about other ways they help prevent the spread of germs, like washing hands and covering sneezes. Adding masks to the list can reinforce the idea of taking small actions to keep everyone healthy.

How Can I Encourage My Child to Wear a Mask?

Getting your child to wear a mask can be challenging but preparing them in advance can help. Here are some tips to make the process easier and even fun:

• Start with play: Put a mask on their favorite stuffed animal or action figure and act out a doctor’s visit or trip to the store. Praise the toy for wearing its mask and explain how it's helping keep others healthy.

• Practice at home: Have your child wear their mask for short periods at home, gradually increasing the time until they feel comfortable. You can start with just a few seconds and build up to five minutes or more.

• Normalize it: Wear a mask around the house yourself so your child gets used to seeing it. You can even take fun selfies together or video chat with family members while wearing masks. Positive reinforcement, like hearing "Wow, you look great in your mask!" can go a long way.

• Make it fun: Find pictures of their favorite characters wearing masks or let them draw masks on printed pictures. If they want to dress up as a superhero to match their mask, go for it!

• Offer rewards: If needed, offer a small reward for wearing their mask—like a treat, extra screen time, or a special story. Let them know ahead of time what they can earn, and practice at home before heading out in public.

By making mask-wearing a normal and even enjoyable part of their routine, you can help your child feel more comfortable and prepared, whether it's for a doctor’s visit, a trip to the store, or just extra protection during flu season. Remember, masks may not be required everywhere, but they’re still a helpful way to keep everyone healthy!