"Masks can make it more challenging for some children to develop early speech and reading skills, which are learned, in part, by observing mouths in movement..."

"[P]arents often asked why their young children had to wear masks when local kindergarten students were allowed to be mask free. The contradictory government mandates have contributed to confusion and skepticism — not only about masking, but also about the efficacy of vaccines, she said, noting that only about 20 percent of her students have been vaccinated...."

From "At Head Start, Masks Remain On, Despite C.D.C. Guidelines/Some of the nation’s poorest pre-K students are the last still under mask mandates, affecting enrollment" (NYT).

What is the reason for treating these children differently from other children? Poverty? I note that there is no mention of race in the article.