Does your child have a hard time with getting their hair washed, brushed, or cut? Do they get upset when getting their nails cut? Here are some strategies that can make these daily tasks less challenging and more fun for everyone!
General Tips & Tricks
Allow your child to do as much as they can themselves. Feeling in control during something that they might perceive as scary or uncomfortable is important!
Ex. Let your child try turning the knob of the water to control the temperature or how quickly the water is coming out. Let them get the hair brush for you. You can also let them brush their hair on their own first, and then you can take turns doing it. Have them be your helper!
Make sure if a strategy is working, that it is consistent across caregivers. Consistency and predictability are key!
Use a firm touch rather than light
Narrate what you are going to be doing, so they know exactly what to expect. It can also be helpful to have a mirror, so they can see what's happening.
Ex. "I'm going to brush on the left side first. There's a knot so you might feel a little pulling , let's count to 10 while we get it out. Now let's do the back. Let's do the right and then we will be all done!"
Minimize the sensory stimuli in the environment
Ex. Lower lighting, no screens, no extra sound, use a low and calming voice
Provide some sort of timer for the child so that they know when the activity will be over. This doesn't necessarily have to be a timer on your phone, it can be a song or counting to a certain number. For example, "Let's sing the ABC's while we brush your hair. When the song is all done, we can be all done brushing!" or "Let's count to 10 while we wash your hair, when we get to 10 we'll be all clean!"
Bathing
Consider the sensory systems when thinking about the set-up in the bathroom
Auditory
Is the fan on? Is it rattling or working loudly?
Is the water running in the tub? Consider having the tub filled and ready before your child comes in the bathroom.
Tactile
What is the temperature of the water?
Is the bathroom warm?
Is wet skin being exposed to the air? Consider drying their face and hair right after it has been washed, before moving on to their body.
What kind of soap is being used? Try different types- foam, bar, liquid, etc.
Visual
How bright is the bathroom? Try using more natural or dim lighting.
How many bubbles are in the tub? Too many might be overwhelming!
Olfactory (Smell)
Consider the scents in the bathroom. Experiment with using different scents of soap, or non-scented!
Use a combined shampoo and conditioner to shorten the process
Let your child rinse their hair using a bucket or measuring cup. Water coming out of a larger item rather than a shower head provides firmer pressure which is much more calming than a shower head!
Narrate the process and give some sort of timer to let them know when each step will be over (ex. counting or song). Try to limit any surprises, your child should know exactly what to expect and when.
Use firm pressure as you wash their hair and body, and as you dry their hair. Think of it as a massage. Lighter touch can feel more uncomfortable and unexpected.
You might ask your child to look up at the ceiling to avoid getting shampoo in their eyes- consider placing glow in the dark stars or other decals on the ceiling for them to look at!
Toys, toys, toys! Let your child pick out a few bath toys at the store, and then before their bath let them choose which they want to play with.
Hair Brushing & Cutting
Many of the same strategies from above apply here!
Think of the sensory systems. What sounds are there? Smells? How is the lighting? What are they sitting on, is it comfy?
Narrate the process and give some sort of timer
For hair cutting, show them how the cutting will look (ex. lift up a section of hair and pretend to snip without using scissors first)
Consider using the word "trim" rather than "cut"
Brush and cut in front of a mirror so they can see what's happening
Let them be your helper!
Have them get the brush
Take turns brushing
Give them options throughout the process
Let them pick out a hairbrush at the store. Maybe even get several so they can choose which one they want to use each morning!
Let them choose what they want to be covered by at the hairdressers (ex. towel, red cape vs black cape)
Have them brush a doll's hair or help brush a sibling's hair while you do theirs
Let them know what to expect before it's their turn!
Watch videos of other kids getting their hair cut before their appointment
Have your hair done first (if you're going for just a trim) so they can see how you do it!
Wash their hair before going to the hairdressers to minimize the time spent there
Nail Cutting
Many of the same strategies from above apply here!
Think of the sensory systems. What sounds are there? Smells? What are they sitting on, is it comfy?
Narrate the process and give some sort of timer
Show them how the nail cutting will look
Pretend to cut one nail without actually using the clippers or scissors
Cut your own nails first so they can see how it looks
Consider using the word "trim" rather than "cut"
Experiment with cuticle scissors vs clippers
Try cutting one nail each day during a predictable routine. Ex. one nail each night right after bathtime when nails are soft
If you are using clippers, let them get the clippers out for you. Let your child touch them and "explore" them so they know more what to expect
Key Takeaways
Predictability- no surprises!
Give advance notice by demonstrating, narrating, and giving a clear end time
Make sure there is consistency across caregivers
Consider each sensory system that might be receiving uncomfortable stimuli (ex. auditory, tactile, visual, smell)
Give your child some sort of control, whether it is choice of hair brush or letting them do the brushing themselves
Firm pressure and touch rather than light
Comments