& Face Masks How to help your baby learn language despite possible delays from wearing masks.
By Arricca Elin SanSone
abies learn sounds and language by watching faces. From birth, babies stare at eyes. By 4 to 8 months, they shift to also watching mouths, where sound is originating. So, does maskwearing have an impact on their language development? “There are no studies specific to the current situation,” says Robynne Kratchman, MS, director of speech language pathology programs at Speech & Hearing Associates in northern New Jersey. “But we do know masks hide faces, and babies need face time. Masks also mute sounds, hide our expressions, and limit what babies can see and hear, all of which could potentially delay sound and speech development.” How do you know if there may be a delay in your baby’s speech development? “Parents should be concerned if their baby is not aware of other people, not interested in interacting with people, not responsive to other people’s communication and not engaging in any sort of ‘back-and-forth’ play, does not vocalize at all, does not smile after the first two months
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or so, doesn’t watch the parent when the parent is speaking, or if they used to do those things but either stopped or their development seems to have slowed down,” says Cristina Farrell, MD, MPH, a developmental behavioral pediatrician at Goryeb Children’s Hospital Child Development and Autism Center in Morristown. She advises immediately discussing concerns with your pediatrician, who can do a developmental screening. What can we do if we’re worried our babies aren’t getting the full message from our masked faces? Here’s how to help:
GO MASKLESS AT HOME WHEN POSSIBLE “If you have a babysitter or other caregivers coming into the home, consider having them use masks that have clear cutouts for the mouth or face shields so kids can see the full face without barriers,” says Cheryl Pizappi, MS, supervisor of the speech department at Children’s Specialized Hospital in Clifton, Bayonne and Newark.
NJFAMILY.COM | JUNE 2021
