Wearing Masks Inhibits Expression Recognition and Influences Embodied Cognition and Learning
Masks! The great debate extends into the classroom. Does mask-wearing aid or inhibit learning? One narrative asserts that masks weaken children's social skills and discourage their ability to learn language. An opinion piece written in the New York Times by Judith Danovitch, an associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Louisville, claims that masks may encourage learning. Her article, "Actually, Wearing a Mask Can Help Your Child Learn," claims that face coverings do not impact children's development. Danovitch calls attention to children in cultures and communities whose educators wear head coverings or masks regularly. In her experience, these children develop language and social skills similarly to kids in other cultures. Children who are congenitally blind learn to speak, read, and socialize as well. Her evidence portrays no slowing or alteration of development. Instead of looking at a teacher's mouth, Danovitch pr...