Well, we can finally say that Covid is here to stay for now! and parents are currently struggling on trying to keep their child’s mask on, especially for parents of children with special needs.
As a parent of a child with a disability you know the struggle of trying to keep shoes, clothes, hats, and anything else on when comes to disciplining your child at home or school.
However, as we continue through covid keeping a mask on your toddler or preschooler is extremely hard to do. So let’s talk about some ways in which you can do at home to help your child keep their mask on at school or in public.
Tip #1 “20 Minutes A Day”
This first tip I picked this very simple tip up from my cousin who has 3 little boys two of them have special needs. As a worried and concerned mom of a child with special needs, my cousin is always coming up with creative ways in which to keep her children safe. I call this first method the “20 minutes a day” because that’s all it took for my cousin for her children to keep their masks on when they returned to school.
What she did was simply practice every day for 20 minutes over the summer placing a mask over her children’s faces and letting them stay on while they watched their favorite TV show. After doing that for an entire summer when it was time to return for the school year they were already used to keeping the mask on and knew not to take it off unless they were eating or drinking.
Tip #2 “The Mask Game Day”
All children love to play games and watch TV on their iPads but what about turning it into a game? I call this second tip the mask game on how to keep your child’s mask on because it’s simple and effective such as tip number 1.
You can get creative and turn it into a superhero game where your child wears a mask, or just simply keep the mask on for certain periods at a time and then receive a treat or incentive when the child attends to keeping the mask on for the demanded amount of time.
Tip #3 “Mask Hual“
I call this method the mask haul because children like to take charge of their responsibilities when entering Kindergarten. Why not turn it into a day trip or virtual trip online where your child can pick out their mask? This will make them feel more comfortable and have a sense of control when heading to school.
Tip #4 “Modeling”
Another simple way of helping your toddler or preschooler keep their mask on at school or out in public is just my simply modeling it in front of them. Children often imitate what they see and they love watching their parents do silly things.
Modeling is a great way to help your child practice keeping the mask on because they see you do it and learn the importance of keeping the mask on. Try modeling keeping the mask on around the house and out in public and watch how your child will be asking for you to let them wear yours.
Tip #5 “Social Stories”
One of my favorite ways of teaching my students with disabilities at school is by using social stories. Social stories are great for teaching children the importance of wearing masks because they can learn from their peers. You can create one of your own social stories or by pulling up a social story video on your computer or iPad.
Conclusion
Overall, I know that each child is different of course, and requires more tips than those that I have provided. However, when trying a new intervention, strategy, or technique please keep in mind that it may not work overnight but will work in the long run when implemented with fidelity.
