{"id":10375,"date":"2020-08-27T15:59:26","date_gmt":"2020-08-27T15:59:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/?p=10375"},"modified":"2020-09-02T17:41:20","modified_gmt":"2020-09-02T17:41:20","slug":"how-to-get-children-comfortable-wearing-masks-in-the-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2020\/08\/27\/how-to-get-children-comfortable-wearing-masks-in-the-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Children Comfortable Wearing Masks in the Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As the fall season approaches and parents in New Jersey are preparing to send their children to school in the classroom, facemasks have been added to the back-to-school shopping list.<\/p>\n

COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets. To reduce the spread, CDC recommends that people more than 2 years of age wear masks in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain.<\/p>\n

As part of New Jersey\u2019s plan to reopen schools, teachers and students will be required to wear face masks. For many parents, getting a child to wear a face mask may feel like an impossible task. Children are fidgety and active, and some children may dislike the sensation of fabric on their face.<\/p>\n

Some parents of children with asthma are concerned that wearing a mask can make their child\u2019s breathing issues worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is very important that children with asthma wear a mask and stick to their maintenance medication to keep their lungs healthy and protected,\u201d said Anna Krol, MD, general pediatrician at Children\u2019s Regional Hospital at Cooper.<\/p>\n

\u201cParents may be pleasantly surprised that most children will be able to wear a mask with a little practice and some positive reinforcement,\u201d said Dr. Krol. \u201cChildren can be extremely adaptable. Of course, every child is different, and some children with severe developmental disabilities or sensory issues may have a harder time. This should be discussed individually with their pediatrician.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the most part, little ones are more willing to learn new habits than adults, and they follow the lead of their parents and older siblings. Seeing other children, teachers, and administrators with face coverings on while at school will help normalize mask wearing in the classroom.<\/p>\n

Here are a few tips on how to help your child prepare for wearing a face mask while at school:<\/p>\n