Parenting a toddler can be both challenging and rewarding. We have practical tips on toddler behavior , basic care and bedtime routines. Keep informed with our health, safety and development tips. Need ideas for ways to play with your toddler? We have made it easy with our toys and activity suggestions.
Preparing your toddler for a visit to the hairdresser
Visiting the hairdresser for the first time can be a challenge for young children.
Follow these tips and it should make this milestone go more smoothly.
There are several ways in which you can successfully prepare your child
for a visit to the hairdresser. It probably sounds a bit silly to role
play, but experience has shown that for many children a hair cut can be
a bit scary. It's a situation that is unfamiliar and also involves
strangers getting quite close to them.
Gather together some play "hairdressing" equipment. All you really need is a pair of play scissors such as the ones included in many children's doctor kits, some combs, some brushes, a squirt bottle with a little water, and lastly a small sheet (crib sheets work well). Also find a little chair for them to sit on. If you have a mirror, it would be great to use it too. The point is to make the role play as similar to the real experience as possible.
Now the fun starts. Explain to your child that you're going to pretend to play hairdressers. Model all the things that will happen during his visit. For example, greet him; sit him down in the special chair; and ask him what he would like to have done. Be silly and have fun with it. Put on the "cape" and brush his hair and dampen it a little with the squirt bottle of water. Now for the tricky part, pick up the pretend scissors (you don't even really need to use any scissors--you can just pretend) and role play the whole experience ending with paying for the haircut. Children just LOVE to do this. Now it's time to reverse the roles and allow your child to be the hairdresser. This is quite important because it allows the child to gain a sense of mastery over the whole experience; and, therefore, develops his confidence.
To avoid the inevitable cutting of "real" hair explain that this is something only hairdressers do. Then make sure ALL your scissors are safely put away! Curious hands can get really creative with cutting hair. Don't we all have memories of doing this ourselves?
When you arrive at the hairdresser, just remind him of all the things that will happen: sit down in a chair, put on a cape, get your hair brushed and wet a little, and then the scissors come out to cut the hair. Some children think that they are actually going to get cut! So gently remind them that it's only their hair that is getting cut, not their skin. Talk to them the whole time about what the hairdresser will be doing. Some toddlers do better if you sit them on your knee - check with the hair dresser beforehand if you think your child may prefer this.
You could even bring a familiar book from home and read it to them as they are getting their hair cut. I have done this on several occasions and it has worked really well. Especially if you let your child choose the book to bring along.
Gather together some play "hairdressing" equipment. All you really need is a pair of play scissors such as the ones included in many children's doctor kits, some combs, some brushes, a squirt bottle with a little water, and lastly a small sheet (crib sheets work well). Also find a little chair for them to sit on. If you have a mirror, it would be great to use it too. The point is to make the role play as similar to the real experience as possible.
Now the fun starts. Explain to your child that you're going to pretend to play hairdressers. Model all the things that will happen during his visit. For example, greet him; sit him down in the special chair; and ask him what he would like to have done. Be silly and have fun with it. Put on the "cape" and brush his hair and dampen it a little with the squirt bottle of water. Now for the tricky part, pick up the pretend scissors (you don't even really need to use any scissors--you can just pretend) and role play the whole experience ending with paying for the haircut. Children just LOVE to do this. Now it's time to reverse the roles and allow your child to be the hairdresser. This is quite important because it allows the child to gain a sense of mastery over the whole experience; and, therefore, develops his confidence.
To avoid the inevitable cutting of "real" hair explain that this is something only hairdressers do. Then make sure ALL your scissors are safely put away! Curious hands can get really creative with cutting hair. Don't we all have memories of doing this ourselves?
When you arrive at the hairdresser, just remind him of all the things that will happen: sit down in a chair, put on a cape, get your hair brushed and wet a little, and then the scissors come out to cut the hair. Some children think that they are actually going to get cut! So gently remind them that it's only their hair that is getting cut, not their skin. Talk to them the whole time about what the hairdresser will be doing. Some toddlers do better if you sit them on your knee - check with the hair dresser beforehand if you think your child may prefer this.
You could even bring a familiar book from home and read it to them as they are getting their hair cut. I have done this on several occasions and it has worked really well. Especially if you let your child choose the book to bring along.
Related Products
|
Related Tips
- My toddler refuses to have his hair washed
- My toddler hates having his hair washed. He loves the bath; but when it comes to hair washing, he cries and wants to get out.
- more
- Fears - Toddler
- All children go through periods of fear. This is normal and expected. Here are a few ideas to help your child with her fears.
- more
Comments
Search:
Free Newsletter
Parenting tips, latest news, savings and more
