Smile: Transparent Masks Convey Love Transparent masks are the next big thing for daycare's and others.

It’s no surprise that 2020 has been a year of masks. Though symptoms of Covid-19 vary from one person to the other, combating this deadly virus still seems to be a foggy journey. That said, wearing masks in public has become the most known behavior. It has become the new normal due to the imposition of fines by the U.S. government and other countries’ governing bodies.

It seems like the demand for non-surgical masks is here to stay. But it’s a worrisome situation because these masks are playing a somewhat negative role. Covering the mouth hinders communication between children and parents/caregivers.

Facial expressions: a symbol of communication among infants and toddlers

While covering faces in public is understandable, it limits a child’s ability to read a person’s facial expressions. Young children rely on their elders’ emotional cues so they can interpret if there’s a comfortable or threatening situation. Based on that, they respond to specific situations accordingly.

Here’s an example: infants and toddlers would perceive it as a happy moment if their mother smiles at them. Likewise, they will avoid touching a dangerous object if she makes a fearful facial expression. This emotional signaling also refers to social referencing.

The use of transparent masks for caregivers

Daycare centers are reopening in the U.S. This means that all concerned people, including teachers, caregivers, and two-year-old children, need to wear masks. Since daycare centers are one of the first places for children to learn, play, and communicate, the presence of traditional masks is sure to hinder their abilities. But expressionless faces don’t have to be the norm now. Caregivers have an option to wear transparent masks so the children can see their smiles.

Here are some of the ways how transparent masks might work well in daycare centers:

Children interpret face with eyes

According to research, three to eleven-week-old infants look at the eyes of the person who is talking to them. They also observe synchronization between the eyes, the nose, and the mouth. They develop the image of a face in their minds by building a connection between these three facial organs. That way, they’re able to recognize the faces of familiar people around them such as their father, mother, and caregivers.

Brain responses of infants change when the same people partially hide their faces. Eye-tracking tools also measure a different response in conflicting situations. For instance, infants might react differently if parents or caregivers smile at them but create crying sounds. The same is true when they wear a traditional mask as it hides the mouth. This might hinder their learning ability to recognize and remember faces. Wearing a transparent mask will help parents and caregivers show their full face to the child.

Infants see mouths when learning a language

Children respond to babbling sounds after looking at the mouth of the talker. Based on these sounds, they build connections and learn to recognize the words. Newborns observe the eyeballs when someone holds them in their arms and starts talking to them. But when they’re four to eight months old, they begin to shift their focus to their mouths.

While observing the mouths, they begin to learn familiar words. This behavior helps them learn their first language. It also allows them to enhance their speaking skills. Therefore, it makes sense not to cover the mouth with a traditional mask when caregivers can use transparent masks instead.

Making your lips visible to the child doesn’t just serve the purpose of letting them observe the movement of lips and catch up with the uttered words. Visible mouths are the key to showing the child that you’re smiling at them. Since the smile is a symbol of love and compassion, it builds a stronger bond between the child and the parent/caregiver. It also helps young children feel comfortable and confident in that specific environment.

Are transparent face masks worth the hype?

The structure of transparent masks is similar to that of traditional masks. However, the main difference is clear panels so that the mouth can be visible. The purpose is to let others read your lips. That’s an important feature for communicating with the deaf, people speaking a different language, and children below five years of age. However, such masks aren’t a replacement for the medical-grade or surgical masks.

Transparent masks can be a worthwhile option to stay safe and protect children from the transmission of Covid-19. But these masks make sense only if they consist of an additional layer that helps block respiratory droplets. Plus, there should be no gaps around the layer.

The use of transparent masks isn’t limited to just caregivers, though. If parents, siblings, and other family members of the child are wearing transparent masks in public, the child wouldn’t feel awkward because they would still be able to see their facial expressions.

It’s not that hard to promote transparent masks in daycare's and other organizations. All it requires is a bit of communication. It seems like transparent masks will gradually be a common concept among parents, caregivers.

The takeaway

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for their brain development. However, the advent of the global pandemic has brought major changes in every individual’s lifestyle. Wearing masks is one of these changes that prevent the virus from spreading. Among various organizations, daycare centers are one of them that have also implemented the policy to wear masks around young children. But it may hinder their learning and observing abilities as they’re unable to read visual cues of their caregivers.

Fortunately, parents and caregivers have the option to replace traditional masks with transparent masks. Besides enabling them to follow the SOPs, these clear masks will break the communication barrier between adults and children. That will also allow infants to recognize familiar faces and respond to their facial expressions accordingly.