Does Mask Wearing Impair Speech Development?
The concern about masks covering the face is understandable when it comes to speech development.
Being that TinyEYE is a company that specializes in speech therapy, we couldn’t help but wonder about the effects of mask-wearing on speech development.
Although this is a topic that deserves its own website, not just a blog post, we came across some promising facts. During the first year of life, speech and language are emerging in a major way. A key part of learning to communicate and develop speech 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 suggest the use of a face mask negatively impacts a child’s speech and language development.
Remember, babies and toddlers learn the most from their family! Families can help with speech and language development and social communication through face time at home with family members who aren’t wearing masks. So next time you are singing to your sweet child, make sure to animate your best “Adele” impression.
And remember:
“Kids are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Kids adjust, they adapt, and when they don’t have to wear them, they’ll adapt again! And development is obviously not linear. There are ups and downs, even in days before face masks.”
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