When it comes to self-care, hair care may seem like a small task, but it can have a big impact on independence and self-esteem. Imagine trying to do schoolwork but your hair is in your eyes, or playing sport and feeling your ponytail bouncing uncomfortably, and being unable to fix it on your own. Being able to brush and tie hair not only helps with independence but can also support the development of self-esteem and allow for self-expression.
Start with the basics
If we want our children to develop their independence in a specific task it is important that they know why it’s important. Begin with explaining why we need to wash, brush and tie our hair. Make it fun and engaging for your child. For younger kids use role or pretend play i.e. hairdresser pretend play; or have a doll in the bath or shower to promote hair washing practice. For older children, watch videos on YouTube of different styles, or go shopping for fun hair accessories.
Find the right tools/ products
Everyone’s hair is different, whether its curly, straight, thick, thin, short or long; therefore, finding the right products can make a significant difference. Some children are sensitive to textures and smells so it may take some trial and error to find the right products. For children with unique hair, consult a hairdresser to support with finding the right products.
Having the right type of hair brush can make or break hair brushing success. Look out for brushes with a thick handle, easy for holding, and a brush specifically designed for your child’s hair type. At OTHC we often recommend the Happy Hair Brush who have a range of brushes for different ages and hair types.
Consider Sensory Processing
For some children, sensory processing difficulties may impact their ability to engage in hair care tasks. Be mindful that your child may be experiencing discomfort to different textures, smells or sensations i.e. the smell of products, or the feeling of the hairbrush on the scalp. Consulting with an OT may be helpful to support with specific strategies to meet your child’s sensory processing needs.
Hair Brushing
Time to practice
Its easiest to start practicing on the already brushed hair of another person. Support your child to practice brushing by letting them brush your hair, perhaps playing hairdressers. Once they have mastered this, move on to their own brushed hair, using a mirror to support them to see what they are doing. As they develop their skills simply leave more and more knots for them to brush out. For children with longer hair teaching correct brushing technique is also important. Teach them to start from the ends and work up to avoid yanking on knots.
Create a brushing routine
Establishing a regular brushing routine can help prevent tangles and make hair more manageable. Integrate this into your child’s typical morning and evening routine Encourage your child to brush their hair twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed. Make it a fun part of their day! You could even sing a song or turn it into a mini dance party while they brush.
Hair tying
Once your child has mastered brushing you can move on to supporting them to tie their own hair. Tying hair requires a multitude of different skills including a variety motor movement, sensory processing skills and problem-solving skills. It also involves several different steps, so focus on 1 step at a time with your child and build up until they are able to do it. Use the following steps to help!
- Gather hair with hands into a bunch.
- Use a hairbrush to smooth out the hair, keeping it gathered.
- Put the hair tie on the dominant wrist and have your child hold their hair in that hand.
- Use the non-dominant hand to pull the hair tie over and pull the hair through.
- Twist the hair tie to make an 8 shape and place all fingers inside the loop.
- Move the hair from the dominant hand to the non-dominant hand, keeping the fingers inside the loop.
- Pinch the hair tie and pull hair through.
- Repeat until hair is tied.
Developing the ability to brush and tie hair is so important in supporting independence in self-care routines and allows greater independence across all aspects of life. Skill development takes time and requires patience, repetition and perseverance.
If your child is having difficulties with mastering these skills speak with your child’s occupational therapist or contact us at 02 9913 3823.
