Mask policy for toddlers

[Anonymous]

What is your school/daycare mask policy for children? My two year old absolutely will not wear one and I don’t think she understands either. Her school says they won’t kick anyone out for not wearing it but they are coming down hard on us every single day during pick up AND drop off, and I’m not sure if it’s worth the stress (I’m very pro-mask but masking amongst toddlers seems pointless- good practice, yes, but I question how effective it is with drooly touchy toddlers; plus I think it’s stressing HER I’m pushing something she doesn’t understand). I’ve heard other places only recommend them for two and up and start requiring for five and up. Should I look for another daycare?

[Anonymous]

Our school requires it. My child is 3, but at 2 would not wear a mask, which is one of the reasons I decided to keep them home last year during 2s.

[Anonymous]

Our daycare in NoVA follows Virginia policy, where masks are encouraged but not required before the age of 5.

[Anonymous]

Ours was kind of flexible in the 2s room at the start of the year and by Midway through everyone was wearing them. They are consistent now in the 3s. Mine hadn't worn one much at all before starting (because this was summer 2020) but adjusted well to doing it there in that setting and with peers.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for your responses so far. (Did not know there was a VA policy, not sure why I didn't think of that). While our teacher is very nice, I do feel like we are starting to be cornered a bit because she is the only one (I definitely don't think my daughter notices or cares), so I'm not sure if this counts as not being the right fit for us, or if I just need thick skin. I do like that everyone is so compliant and I think she needs some time with her peers to really get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for your responses so far. (Did not know there was a VA policy, not sure why I didn't think of that). While our teacher is very nice, I do feel like we are starting to be cornered a bit because she is the only one (I definitely don't think my daughter notices or cares), so I'm not sure if this counts as not being the right fit for us, or if I just need thick skin. I do like that everyone is so compliant and I think she needs some time with her peers to really get it.

NP and my 2yo has to wear one too but I think it's ridiculous. Our teachers seem more understanding though- there were a number of kids who recently aged up to the 3yo class and were replaced by a new group of 2yos, many of whom are young 2s. One of the teachers said it's just like night and day between 2 and 3 and just takes time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our daycare in NoVA follows Virginia policy, where masks are encouraged but not required before the age of 5.

+1 same here, and I'm thankful for it every day. There are some parents who choose to send their toddlers in masks but it's optional.

[Anonymous]

I'm in MD and our preschool requires it for the 2 year old class. Its not perfect, but most of the kids seems to be doing fine with mask wearing. Your kid will be sent home if they refuse to wear a mask consistently.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried different masks? My daughter was horrible at masks until I got children’s disposable ones. I have to tie the ear loops but she wears them for longer than cloth. As for their daily comments, just come up with a phrase, “we are working on it” and let it go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in MD and our preschool requires it for the 2 year old class. Its not perfect, but most of the kids seems to be doing fine with mask wearing. Your kid will be sent home if they refuse to wear a mask consistently.

Any tips?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried different masks? My daughter was horrible at masks until I got children’s disposable ones. I have to tie the ear loops but she wears them for longer than cloth. As for their daily comments, just come up with a phrase, “we are working on it” and let it go.

Yes I was practicing with the disposable ones but she kept ripping them and/or chewing on them (she will chew on her cloth mask too). I just really wish the teacher would consider that she is a younger 2, whereas she even has some just-turned 3 year olds. If I tell my daughter “if you don’t wear a mask youll get germs and possibly get sick,” she literally doesn’t know what I’m talking about. I tried putting it on her favorite toy but I can tell she doesn’t get it yet. She just takes it off the toy and goes plays with something else or doesn’t seem to notice. I just don’t think it’s clicking.

[Anonymous]

Our preschool requires masks when kids aren’t with their cohort. Otherwise, they’re mask free under age 5. So DC masks at drop off and pick up and that’s it. No mask while in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried different masks? My daughter was horrible at masks until I got children’s disposable ones. I have to tie the ear loops but she wears them for longer than cloth. As for their daily comments, just come up with a phrase, “we are working on it” and let it go.

Yes I was practicing with the disposable ones but she kept ripping them and/or chewing on them (she will chew on her cloth mask too). I just really wish the teacher would consider that she is a younger 2, whereas she even has some just-turned 3 year olds. If I tell my daughter “if you don’t wear a mask youll get germs and possibly get sick,” she literally doesn’t know what I’m talking about. I tried putting it on her favorite toy but I can tell she doesn’t get it yet. She just takes it off the toy and goes plays with something else or doesn’t seem to notice. I just don’t think it’s clicking.

It’s required at my NoVa preschool but they’ve been lenient in the 2s class and work with the kids. I have a newly turned 2 and she’s getting better at it but always returns from school maskless so at some point they give up during the day (but never bring it up as a bad thing just that she’s wearing it more and more which is great). What has helped is getting a happy mask for her though it was hard to get because they are very popular. They are a stiffer mask and almost beak like so they don’t really lay against her mouth and nose in ways that other masks do (and subsequently get wet and uncomfortable). Though not only are they hard to find, they are $22 each and so far she’s lost 2 at school :/.

Another thing that helped wasn’t talking about germ bugs, my new 2 wouldn’t get that either. Instead we did a lot of modeling behavior—not at home because we don’t wear masks at home, but as a family to go inside places. Our 2 had hardly been inside other places during the pandemic because she couldn’t wear a mask. So we did things like go to the ice cream store and say okay to go inside we all wear our masks—dad, mom, brother, and you—see? And then I’d put in on her and if she went to remove it I’d gently grab her hands and say no no mask on if you want to come inside for ice cream. Same with library, grocery store, etc. going inside places was an incentive since she was curious and us pointing out we were all wearing masks also helped. Basically showing her we do x if we want to go inside y. And I say to her, “we wear masks when we go inside places.” I do think she gets it as a routine, and doesn’t need a whole explanation as to why.

Hugs, OP. I am pro mask too and also think a 2 year old, particular a young 2, it is kind of a ridiculous expectation to wear a mask all day and not sure what evidence CDC made the 2+ recommendation from since other countries don’t start until much later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried different masks? My daughter was horrible at masks until I got children’s disposable ones. I have to tie the ear loops but she wears them for longer than cloth. As for their daily comments, just come up with a phrase, “we are working on it” and let it go.

Yes I was practicing with the disposable ones but she kept ripping them and/or chewing on them (she will chew on her cloth mask too). I just really wish the teacher would consider that she is a younger 2, whereas she even has some just-turned 3 year olds. If I tell my daughter “if you don’t wear a mask youll get germs and possibly get sick,” she literally doesn’t know what I’m talking about. I tried putting it on her favorite toy but I can tell she doesn’t get it yet. She just takes it off the toy and goes plays with something else or doesn’t seem to notice. I just don’t think it’s clicking.

It’s required at my NoVa preschool but they’ve been lenient in the 2s class and work with the kids. I have a newly turned 2 and she’s getting better at it but always returns from school maskless so at some point they give up during the day (but never bring it up as a bad thing just that she’s wearing it more and more which is great). What has helped is getting a happy mask for her though it was hard to get because they are very popular. They are a stiffer mask and almost beak like so they don’t really lay against her mouth and nose in ways that other masks do (and subsequently get wet and uncomfortable). Though not only are they hard to find, they are $22 each and so far she’s lost 2 at school :/.

Another thing that helped wasn’t talking about germ bugs, my new 2 wouldn’t get that either. Instead we did a lot of modeling behavior—not at home because we don’t wear masks at home, but as a family to go inside places. Our 2 had hardly been inside other places during the pandemic because she couldn’t wear a mask. So we did things like go to the ice cream store and say okay to go inside we all wear our masks—dad, mom, brother, and you—see? And then I’d put in on her and if she went to remove it I’d gently grab her hands and say no no mask on if you want to come inside for ice cream. Same with library, grocery store, etc. going inside places was an incentive since she was curious and us pointing out we were all wearing masks also helped. Basically showing her we do x if we want to go inside y. And I say to her, “we wear masks when we go inside places.” I do think she gets it as a routine, and doesn’t need a whole explanation as to why.

Hugs, OP. I am pro mask too and also think a 2 year old, particular a young 2, it is kind of a ridiculous expectation to wear a mask all day and not sure what evidence CDC made the 2+ recommendation from since other countries don’t start until much later.

Yeah, the other parents seem to understand my kid and just laugh about it (thank god they are realistic), it's just that this particular teacher is really pushing it on me, despite not being mandatory.

We've definitely modeled the masks- I'm in healthcare so I am VERY pro-mask, she sees people in the store wearing them, and I always point out when there's a child her age wearing one, but she just doesn't see it as she has to wear one too. I've worn them inside the house as well when I'm sick or when she was. She's also a thumb sucker and I'm sure when she's in school she would pull it down anyway to suck her thumb even if she were compliant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you tried different masks? My daughter was horrible at masks until I got children’s disposable ones. I have to tie the ear loops but she wears them for longer than cloth. As for their daily comments, just come up with a phrase, “we are working on it” and let it go.

Yes I was practicing with the disposable ones but she kept ripping them and/or chewing on them (she will chew on her cloth mask too). I just really wish the teacher would consider that she is a younger 2, whereas she even has some just-turned 3 year olds. If I tell my daughter “if you don’t wear a mask youll get germs and possibly get sick,” she literally doesn’t know what I’m talking about. I tried putting it on her favorite toy but I can tell she doesn’t get it yet. She just takes it off the toy and goes plays with something else or doesn’t seem to notice. I just don’t think it’s clicking.

It’s required at my NoVa preschool but they’ve been lenient in the 2s class and work with the kids. I have a newly turned 2 and she’s getting better at it but always returns from school maskless so at some point they give up during the day (but never bring it up as a bad thing just that she’s wearing it more and more which is great). What has helped is getting a happy mask for her though it was hard to get because they are very popular. They are a stiffer mask and almost beak like so they don’t really lay against her mouth and nose in ways that other masks do (and subsequently get wet and uncomfortable). Though not only are they hard to find, they are $22 each and so far she’s lost 2 at school :/.

Another thing that helped wasn’t talking about germ bugs, my new 2 wouldn’t get that either. Instead we did a lot of modeling behavior—not at home because we don’t wear masks at home, but as a family to go inside places. Our 2 had hardly been inside other places during the pandemic because she couldn’t wear a mask. So we did things like go to the ice cream store and say okay to go inside we all wear our masks—dad, mom, brother, and you—see? And then I’d put in on her and if she went to remove it I’d gently grab her hands and say no no mask on if you want to come inside for ice cream. Same with library, grocery store, etc. going inside places was an incentive since she was curious and us pointing out we were all wearing masks also helped. Basically showing her we do x if we want to go inside y. And I say to her, “we wear masks when we go inside places.” I do think she gets it as a routine, and doesn’t need a whole explanation as to why.

Hugs, OP. I am pro mask too and also think a 2 year old, particular a young 2, it is kind of a ridiculous expectation to wear a mask all day and not sure what evidence CDC made the 2+ recommendation from since other countries don’t start until much later.

Yeah, the other parents seem to understand my kid and just laugh about it (thank god they are realistic), it's just that this particular teacher is really pushing it on me, despite not being mandatory.

We've definitely modeled the masks- I'm in healthcare so I am VERY pro-mask, she sees people in the store wearing them, and I always point out when there's a child her age wearing one, but she just doesn't see it as she has to wear one too. I've worn them inside the house as well when I'm sick or when she was. She's also a thumb sucker and I'm sure when she's in school she would pull it down anyway to suck her thumb even if she were compliant.

You need to find a nanny, PP. It's clear as day. Stop fighting it and call me 202-765-3242.