How to work on a young child wearing a mask?

[coachunk66]

I currently have a 2-year-old and need to really start working on him wearing a mask. Our trip is 25 days away. Any tips or tricks?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Wiloughby1]

I would start with
1. doing ones that are FUN.
2. Make them smell fun like cookies and make part of the game "what's that smell?"
3. Play "match Mommy/daddy" and dress the same, all the way to the mask
4. Practice, practice, practice!

 

[FCDub]

You just need to do it. Make it a normal part of your day. Riding in the car. Watching TV.

No other way but through.

 

[Duck143]

Have some fun cute designed ones and make sure they fit well. Other than that, just show up and don't worry too much. I have seen lots of kids just leave them on once they're on and they forget about them. I almost think that children have an easier time adjusting to the masks than adults. Making a big deal about it ahead of time might make it worse.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

me fun cute designed ones and make sure they fit well. Other than that, just show up and don't worry too much. I have seen lots of kids just leave them on once they're on and they forget about them. I almost think that children ha

ones and make sure they fit well. Other than that, just show up and don't worry too much. I have seen lots of kids just leave them on once they're on and they forget about them. I almost think that children have an easier time adj

Bribery.

 

[Duck143]

Bribery.

That always works! I do the same if they take good photos all week!

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Get some plain ones and let them design it.
Kids love wearing there originals.
Also walmart has a lot of Disney ones
We also use a lanyard on one side so when they take it off it doesnt hit the ground.
When they get to Disney it wont be as bad as you think because everyone is wearing them.

 

[Akck]

For our granddaughter, I believe they started practicing wearing one around the house. We had bought the first Disney ones (which were too small), and mailed the masks to them. That way she had a choice of Disney themed masks to wear. They became part of a costume and were fun to wear. By the time we went, she was totally used to wearing one.

 

[kclark9830]

My son had to adjust to even putting one on because he thought he couldn't breathe. We had to practice THAT for a couple weeks off and on. Once he realized he could indeed breathe, there was no problem.

 

[Chelseaaa]

Start with small amounts of time around your house! Let them pick from a selection you have, let them put one on a favorite stuffed animal or doll.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

Even bribery didn't work when she got tired. Other times of the day, we reminded her that big girls have to wear masks to ride rides at Mickey's house. Naptime- nothing but getting her to someplace where she didn't need one worked. So be prepared to plan extra breaks into your day, regardless of practice.

 

[Disney Boater]

I was there last week with a 3 and 4 yo. We didn’t have too many issues. The cast members were very understanding.
I saw many kids clearly 2 yo who didn’t where masks at all.
there are plenty of break times: at restaurants once seated we were told we could take our masks off at every restaurant. The pool: Covid doesn’t go near pools apparently, as soon as you are inside the pool gate you can remove the mask, even when the pool was crowded. Just find a bench away from people and drink some water, take it off, no one will bother you.

 

[BeeBopp717]

I said this somewhere else; start now, while it’s warming up, in the stroller for walks around your neighborhood. Take breaks for snacks, which youll also do in the park, but then prepare him to put it back on once finished & continue your walk.

 

[MomOfDisneyPrincess]

I thought I read somewhere they had the child wear it during their favorite tv show.

 

[browneyedgirl1683]

Is your kid into pretend play? Can you pretend to pack up for a vacation and add the mask in as your "ticket"? I would also use mantras like repeating "look, you CAN wear a mask". Let him play with one in front of a mirror too. There's also a Sesame Street book about getting ready for school and wearing a mask, and I think clips of Julia wearing one as well if your kid likes Sesame.

 

[BethanyMouse]

Paper masks were better for my 2 year old. It helped that she knew she had to wear them to leave the house. "Hide your nose" is the saying we use!

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm gonna say this.... 25 days is not a lot of time. I know it's in the past now, but the more time spent preparing the better. That said, my nephew was resistant at first (3 yo) and we played fun games together,me with mine,and his too- We called it 'monster mask' and play ed peekaboo,pretend 'scary monster' ,bribed with treats along the way,(example- ok,time to play monster mask! We will both put ours on for a minute and 'roar'...and then we go get a cookie!) Now he's like his little friends, they're all used to just wearing them as they play,no problem at all. With my younger nephew,he doesn;t wear one bc he's a baby still, but at first, he was getting scared bc people faces were covered by a mask, so we played lots of silly 'mask peekaboo' games till he thought it was just fun and no problems now.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Disney was easy.. when they are having fun they forget. Stop and get a snack if they need a break.

We had issues on the plane that was much harder.
Fortunately we had a nice flight crew.

 

[reluctantoranges]

Set rules around places/situations they have to wear masks. Explain the rules. If they don't wear a mask, then they can't go. If they try to take off the mask, remind them about the rules and explain they will have to go home. Be consistent over time, and they will get used to it. Choosing masks they like and making it fun is a great idea. Making sure the masks fit well is also important, I found my 2 year old liked the Crayola masks very much.

 

[jenjen212]

My 4 year old got used to it by wearing hers on walks. Now, she wears them at school. I made sure to purchase ones that have her favorite characters on them. She likes to match characters with her shirts (Elsa mask with Elsa shirt, etc). She loves Halloween and thinks of it like that.