The mask will be compulsory at school for children from 6 years old from the start of the All Saints holidays. The little ones would accept the wearing of the compulsory mask better than the older ones.
- Children from 6 years old must wear the mask at school
- To help them respect this measure, parents must set an example by wearing the mask themselves.
- Showing how “fun” wearing a mask can make it easier for children to accept
As part of the new measures to prevent the development of the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Jean Castex has just announced that wearing a mask will become compulsory from the age of 6 at school. If many parents and health professionals are worried about this new measure, children, for their part, would rather accept wearing a mask, even for prolonged periods.
Several studies show the risk of transmission by children
The extension of compulsory mask-wearing to children from the age of 6 responds, among other things, to certain studies (1) which have shown that the coronavirus detected in the noses of children is 10 to 100 times higher than that of adolescents or adults. While overall the role of transmission from children to other age groups in the population is still debated, it is certain that social interactions between children can be conducive to transmission (2).
Wearing a mask, opening windows regularly, applying physical distancing and regular hand washing should be able to reduce the risk of transmission in primary, while allowing children to go to school Many countries, such as South Korea , Spain or Italy, have already adopted this measure and bring their feedback rather positive on the whole.
Explain to the child the reason for wearing the mask
From the age of 6, children can understand the value of wearing a mask, or washing their hands. They are also at an age where they like to conform to adults and apply the rules. The first thing is therefore to set an example for them by wearing a mask yourself when it is compulsory or by explaining to your child that you wear it at work.
Take the time to chat with him to explain that by wearing a mask, he protects others from the virus. For this you can call on his favorite game characters with whom they identify, choose a mask that he likes and that represents his hero, and possibly pass it off as a disguise (3).
What if my child does not want to wear a mask?
Whether out of fear or rebellion, if your child refuses to wear a mask, it is important to encourage discussion to understand the reasons for his refusal. Talk to him about the usefulness of the mask, and do not hesitate to make it more attractive by decorating it for example or by showing him the best way to put it in front of a mirror or on a stuffed animal. If he is worried about being able to do his activities or his homework with the mask, you can offer him to train by wearing it at home for example.
Among the older ones, you can watch together the videos of certain youtubers who wear the mask and possibly explain how to put it on. In pre-adolescence, your child begins to care about his image and will appreciate being able to identify with it.
Normalizing wearing a mask in different situations, with friends and family and in the family, allows children to understand its interest, especially at an age when they like to be useful.
Sources:
- Viner RM et al. Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Children and Adolescents Compared With Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2020 Sep 25:e204573. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.4573. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32975552; PMCID: PMC7519436.
- “Questions and answers on masks and children in the context of COVID-19” from the WHO (World Health Organization), available at: https://www.who.int/en/news-room/qa-detail/qa-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19
- French Association of Ambulatory Pediatrics (AFPA): https://afpa.org/
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