Tips to Make Haircuts Easier

Getting a haircut is different for every child. Some are excited and look forward to visiting the salon or barbershop. For others, the experience can be a little scary. That’s especially true for children with sensory differences or other disabilities. 

When planning for your child’s haircut, think about your child’s schedule and plan haircuts for a time of day when they are at their best. Right after school may not be ideal if your child comes home excited or very tired. 

You can call the hairstylist or barber and let them know a little about your child. Inform them if your child has had any problems with haircuts in the past. For instance, let them know if noise or bright lights bother your child so they’re prepared to work around those issues. 

Avoiding a crowded salon can also help. Ask the stylist what the busiest times are in their shop. Plan to go when there are fewer people and less noise inside the salon. Some locations offer special hours for people who need a calmer setting.

Here are a few more tips to help prepare for your child’s haircut: 

• Talk about it first. Show your child pictures and videos of other children getting haircuts. Explain what is going to happen before each haircut. 
• Schedule a time to drop by the salon for a visit. This will let your child become familiar with the setting and the stylists. 
• Pack a fidget toy, your child’s favorite stuffed animal or another comfort item for them to hold during the haircut.
• Make haircuts a common event. Many children thrive on routines. Adding regular haircuts to their routine may help them get more comfortable with the idea. If possible, book with the same stylist each visit so your child knows what to expect. 

During the haircut

The most important thing for you to remember is that you need to talk with the stylist. Speak up if you know there's something your child is uncomfortable with. 

Some stylists will have tricks to help calm and distract your child from the haircut. It could be bubbles, games, silly songs or doing the haircut on the couch or the floor. Many will do anything possible to keep your child comfortable. They want your child to leave with a great haircut and a smile.

After the Haircut

Once the visit is over, praise them for being brave and doing a great job, even if there were some tears. It’s a really big deal for some kids. A little praise can go a long way to help get them ready for their next salon visit. 

Take some pictures to help your child show off their brand-new haircut. The pictures capture the memory and can also help remind your child of their success. Use the photos to get ready for the next haircut.

Haircuts aren’t easy for every child, but the goal is to make each time better than the one before. The tears and nerves may not go away in the first couple of visits. Keep working with your child to make it easier over time. Best of Luck!

To learn tips that will help with other kinds of outings, check out Navigating Daily Life on the NLT website.