“To keep students as safe possible in school, in addition to other key safety recommendations, everyone over age 2 years should wear face masks that cover the nose and mouth. This is a simple, proven tool to protect students unable to get the vaccine yet or who have chosen not to get it.

When they fit well and are worn correctly and consistently, face masks are effective and safe to wear for long periods of time such as during the school day. The vast majority of children, even those with medical conditions, are able to safely and effectively wear face masks with practice, support and role-modeling by adults. Talk with your child’s pediatrician about certain medical and developmental conditions that would prohibit mask use.”  – the American Academy of Pediatrics

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have  evaluated ways to improve the fit and filtration of masks, including double masking. Read on for an brief summary of experimental research findings.

“There have been concerns that cloth face coverings can reduce oxygen intake, and can lead to low blood oxygen levels, known as hypoxemia. However, cloth masks are made from breathable materials that will not block the oxygen your child needs. The vast majority of children age 2 or older can safely wear a cloth face covering for extended periods of time, such as the school day or at child care. This includes children with many medical conditions.”–  American Academy of Pediatrics

“No. There have been false reports that cloth face coverings can lead to carbon dioxide poisoning (known as hypercapnia) from re-breathing the air we normally breathe out. But this is not true. Carbon dioxide molecules are very tiny, even smaller than respiratory droplets. They cannot be trapped by breathable materials like cloth masks. In fact, surgeons wear tight fitting masks all day as part of their jobs, without any harm.”   –  American Academy of Pediatrics

A key part of learning to communicate for a child is watching the faces, mouths, and expressions of the people closest to them. Babies and young children study faces intently, so the concern about solid masks covering the face is understandable. However, there are no known studies that use of a face mask negatively impacts a child’s speech and language development.

And consider this: visually impaired children develop speech and language skills at the same rate as their peers. In fact, when one sense is taken away, the others may be heightened. Young children will use other clues provided to them to understand and learn language. They will watch gestures, hear changes in tone of voice, see eyes convey emotions, and listen to words. – American Academy of Pediatrics

Read on for tips on boosting your child’s communication skills as face masks continue.

Wearing a face mask will not affect your child’s lungs from developing normally. This is because oxygen flows through and around the mask, while blocking the spray of spit and respiratory droplets that may contain the virus. Keeping your child’s lungs healthy is important, which includes preventing infections like COVID-19. – the American Academy of Pediatrics

“For children under 3, it’s best to answer their questions simply in language they understand. If they ask about why people are wearing cloth face coverings, explain that sometimes people wear them when they are sick, and sometimes people wear them so they don’t get sick.

For children over 3, try focusing on germs. Explain that germs are special to your own body. Some germs are good and some are bad. The bad ones can make you sick. Since we can’t always tell which are good or bad, the cloth face coverings help make sure you keep those germs away from your own body.

Children and teens often struggle when they feel different. They may feel that wearing a mask stereotypes them as being sick. As more people wear cloth face coverings, children will get used to them and not feel singled out or strange about wearing them. It will quickly become the “new normal” for children and teens.” – American Academy of Pediatrics

Pediatric ophthalmologists recommend:

• Be sure the mask has a tight fit on the nose. If your child’s mask does not have a wire band to make a tight fit, you can use soft tape along the bridge of the nose and the mask.
• The glasses should be worn slightly forward so the nose piece of the glasses is over the mask to help push down on the mask to prevent the glasses from fogging up.

Read on for more tips.