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Masks and temperature taking

  • 1.  Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-24-2020 01:56 PM
    Hello!  We will be returning to school October 5th and I have a parent who is concerned with the fact that we will be wearing masks and taking temperatures before entry into the school.  She is not against having her child's temperature being taken.  She is concerned that the image of an authority figure with a mask pointing an object at the child's forehead and clicking is like pointing a gun to someone's head.  I had never thought of that!  I acknowledged her fears and told her I would research this.  My only thought to alleviate this fear is to get down to the child's level (which I always do when I talk to them anyway), and maybe make the thermometer into a funny character that is saying good morning to the kids.  Kind of like a puppet.  Does anyone have any other suggestions?  Thanks!

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    Joyce Fowler
    Director
    Little Learners Schoolhouse
    Greensboro NC
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  • 2.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-24-2020 03:56 PM
    Hi Joyce,
    I think your ideas are really good ones. We came back in June and are also taking temps and wearing masks. When they first came back, I asked the kiddos to take my temperature first, We made sure they knew it was a thermometer and talked about the numbers on the screen. We also take the temps behind the ears. Lastly I always ask which which ear they want me to use so that they have some choices too. If someone is really upset or scared we offer for mom or dad to take the temp. That has only happened once or twice. I think that if we are talking to the children and telling them what we are doing and why they will not associate it with a weapon. Weapons hurt, thermometers don't! 

    Good Luck!!
    Chris Justesen
    Principal/Director
    Resurrection Child Development Center
    Oro Valley, Arizona

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    Chris Justesen
    Executive Director
    Resurrection Lutheran Child Development Center
    Oro Valley AZ
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  • 3.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-25-2020 10:04 AM
    I would say we look more like doctors and nurses who also use thermometers and wear masks.

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    Emily Hefko
    The Tree House Family Child Care
    Pardeeville WI
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  • 4.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-25-2020 05:39 AM
    Hi,

    We returned in August.  I was concerned about the same issue.  So our PreK team put together a mini-book with the help of our PWPBS coach, of what returning to class would look like.  We had pictures of the morning routine with pictures of each person who may be taking the temperature with and without a mask. IT explained why the kids needed to wear a mask all day, and when it was appropriate to take it off (snack & nap), pictures of all teachers that they will see in our building on regular basis.  We sent it as a Powerpoint prior to school starting and printed on the color copier making it into a 4 x4 book that we gave them at orientation. Hope this is helpful.





  • 5.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-25-2020 06:50 AM
    We were also concerned about this so we purchased safe space scanner.  https://safespacescan.com/products/safe-space-scanner.  So we just ask children to get their picture taken.  This product takes a picture and tempertaure at the same time and it is sent to my computer.  It has made our drop off procedure so much easier.  

    Aimee Spooner
    Irene Wortham Center
    Asheville NC

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    Aimee Spooner
    Children's Services Coordinator
    Irene Wortham Center
    Asheville NC
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  • 6.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-25-2020 07:14 AM

    Hi Joyce, I am also a director and owner of my preschool. I have supplied my teachers with all 3 options to wear; regular mask, clear mask and shields. The clear mask at times do fog up but shields are great. Although most of my teachers are wearing their masks all day. 

    All of my students adapted great with teachers wearing masks. They were already seeing mom and dad wear them out, so it wasn't scary at all. 

    As for taking their temperature, we do every morning and it's not a  "gun " looking one so it wouldn't frighten the kiddos either. 

    Most importantly I have the parent take their temperature before leaving the house, so we aren't the ones taking their temp at the door and have to turn kids away. I think that would be more devastating to them. we take it during our washing hands for snack and again before lunch. The kids are so quick to adapt and it's a part of our daily routine now. 

    Comfort the parent, let her know this is the nee normal and all preschools are doing. Again don't get a thermometer that looks like a gun.😉 

    Have a blessed year!



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    Laura Rodrigues
    Director
    Heavenly Day Preschool
    Naples FL
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  • 7.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-25-2020 07:37 AM
    We opened in August - put many precautions in place - haven't had any issues - thank the Lord!
    Re: temperature taking - w/ CARES $ we purchased a "Fever Warn Scanner" - the children/infant/adult hold their hand to the red dot and it scans their temperature and then speaks "proceed" or "stop" - worth every cent! Only took 1 day for the children to understand how to use it - they teach their parents!

    Re: masks - I have found that it is adults (me included!!) who hate them/have the biggest problem with them. I was amazed at how easily the children adapted - they really don't seem to mind/care. Even when given opportunities to take them off - many of them leave them on. It's just "way of life/all they've known"  (sadly). 


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    Beth Westergreen
    Director
    Heritage Early Learning Academy
    Augusta GA
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  • 8.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-25-2020 08:02 AM
    I am the director of the center and greet the children everyday before they are admitted. I do a temp check and use an infrared thermometer. The little bip amazes the children and they are all showing their forehead waiting for the bip bip. This daily procedure is just a routine that does not affect the children in any way. Sometimes I call myself Mme BipBip 😉

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    Veronique Liebmann
    Minnetonka MN
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  • 9.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-25-2020 08:04 AM
    Joyce:
    There are great practical replies here to your question.  I wouldn't have imagined that there were so many ways to take temperatures. The Massachusetts Health and Safety Protocols don't require temperature taking at the door and that has made the morning drop off easier.

    I wonder if the parent who brought this up is feeling more vulnerable and protective of her child not just because of the pandemic but also due to the violence that has occurred during this time.  Children who have seen photos and news clips of violence may have asked questions and expressed fears, especially children who are Black and Brown.  This parent, and maybe her children, might need a little extra support and conversation.

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    Aren Stone
    she/her/hers
    Child Development Specialist
    The Early Years Project
    Cambridge, MA
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  • 10.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-25-2020 09:47 AM
    Good morning Joyce,

    OMG, I'm totally surprised! Wow!!!  But its true!  However, everywhere we go there's people with Masks.  I've been brainstorming this situation and  I agree with Chris -  Weapons HURT, Thermometers DON'T.  IWOW! Unbelievable.

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    Nelida Rosado
    Orlando FL
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  • 11.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-25-2020 11:43 AM
    Hi Joyce:

    We have been open since June 8th and we have not had any issue with the children having their temperatures taken.  We use the touchless thermometers and it just takes a second.  One idea that I did see online, which might work for your child or at least to make the parent feel better about the process; is to put googly eyes on the side of the thermometer and add paper wings, you can pretend it is a butterfly kissing the children's forehead.  I was going to try it if any of the children in my program had issues, luckily they kind having their temperatures taken.

    Sharon Caesare
    Program Director
    St. Eugene's Preschool
    Santa Rosa CA

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    Sharon Caesare
    Program Director
    St. Eugene Cathedral Preschool
    Santa Rosa CA
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  • 12.  RE: Masks and temperature taking

    Posted 09-25-2020 02:01 PM
    Aloha,
    We have been taking temperatures while wearing masks since we reopened in June.  I have never had any complaints such as yours.  I am actually really surprised to hear this parentʻs concern, but we must listen to all of their concerns and do what we can to alleviate them. 
    We take the parentsʻ temperatures as well as the childrensʻ.  We simply tell them that weʻre takinig their temperatures.  They should be familiar with the process if theyʻve been to the doctor.  And the thermometer doesnʻt even look like a gun. Well, at least ours doesnʻt.  If yours does, perhaps invest in a different one.  
    When I occasionally had a child who didnʻt want his or her temperature taken back in June, I would take mine first and show it to him or her.  It usually did the trick.  However, that being said, the reticence was not because the thermometer was associated with being shot in the head.  I donʻt think a two to five-year-old would think that way.
    Sorry I rambled on.  Hope you are able to help allay your parentʻs concern.
    Aloha,

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    Catherine Awong
    Director
    Mililani Presbyterian Preschool
    Mililani, HI, USA
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