Tips for 2yo and masks

[Anonymous]

Our 4yo learned to wear a mask no problem. Youngest just turned 2. He does not need to wear one at daycare right now but will for the playground. Also I wouldn't be surprised if our daycare reverses course on that given rising number in the region. So want to start practicing- any tips?? Also would welcome any suggestions for young-toddler-friendly masks. We have some from Etsy that fit 4yo well but are big for 2yo.

[Anonymous]

I got her unicorns bc she's obsessed with unicorns. Ones on amazon have an adjustable ear loop. I don't worry as much if she is wearing it right, I don't think it matters much at that age.

[Anonymous]

Just start small and make it fun. Mine was 2 when the pandemic started (now 3). I got her the smallest masks I could find and then would explain that we wore masks to keep ourselves and others safe. Then I’d have her put it on at the park and wear it for 15 minutes. If she took it off I wouldn’t scold her, I’d say “I know it can be hard, here— let’s see if we can get it to fit a little better around your ears.” And then build from there. She can now wear it for a half day at PK without any reported issues.

One thing that I think helps is to link wearing a mask to certain activities. We only have her wear it on the playground if there are other kids there, in a crowded area like the farmers market, or on the rare occasion we take her inside somewhere. Otherwise, we don’t worry about it. It’s helped a lot with making it a manageable thing for her and decreasing the amount of fatigue she has over it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got her unicorns bc she's obsessed with unicorns. Ones on amazon have an adjustable ear loop. I don't worry as much if she is wearing it right, I don't think it matters much at that age.

+1. Get one that has a design or character your kid likes. It's rainbows for my 2 yr old.

[Anonymous]

I got some with designs he likes and I’ve been bribing him quite a bit.

[Anonymous]

Mine likes to put it on when he sees I have one on. It has been working for us for the playground. I make it seem like it’s something fun to do.

[Anonymous]

Just learn to say he's not quite 2 yet. It's ridiculous that Montgomery County applies to mask order to 2 year olds when the WHO says children under 5 shouldn't be compelled to wear masks unless they're developmentally ready.

But I guess that's what you get when you have a child-freeer as the health officer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just learn to say he's not quite 2 yet. It's ridiculous that Montgomery County applies to mask order to 2 year olds when the WHO says children under 5 shouldn't be compelled to wear masks unless they're developmentally ready.

But I guess that's what you get when you have a child-freeer as the health officer.

Many daycares in my areas require kids above 2 to wear mask. My 2 year old is going to attend daycare in the coming summer, and I still have not find way to make her wear mask. I think mask wearing will be still required in 2021, and maybe 2022 even with vaccine distribution.