How to Prepare a Child for a first Haircut
(413 Words)
A haircut may seem like an innocuous event, but a child’s first haircut can be frightening for even the most stalwart of children. Certain strategies can help you prepare your child for such an event.
Tell them about the good parts
You want your child to be happy and excited about getting his or her first haircut. Be very upbeat when talking to them about it. Do not show that you are at all unhappy or worried. Talk to them about how their hair will look better and be healthier. You can say that it is a big girl/boy thing to do and it means they are getting bigger.
Many haircutting places for children offer something special. For instance, if you are very much worried about how your child will react, you can choose one of the places that has televisions set up so that the children can watch a program while getting their cut. Many kids love to watch television, so this may be exciting. You can also promise a reward when they are done.
You also want to be sure to listen to them. Many kids are scared of their first haircut because they think that it is going to hurt. Reassure them that this is not the case.
Pretend you are doing it
You may want to role play your child’s first haircut so that they can get an idea of what is going to happen. You can sit them on a stool and pretend to cut it. If they are very upset about it, you can even cut off a tiny piece of their hair or your hair to prove that it does not hurt.
Let them watch you getting a haircut
They may feel better about their own haircut if they see you getting it done. They can see that it is not big deal.
Tell them a story about your own first haircut
If you cannot take them to see you getting a haircut, then a story about your first one may be enough. You can talk about the feelings that you were experiencing and how it turned out well.
Let them read a book/watch a television show related to it
Many books and television programs touch upon the subject of a first haircut. You can search these out and show them to your child before his or her appointment.
A child’s first haircut is a momentous occasion. The above tips can help you prepare your child.