How to Perform a Children's Haircut with Ease!

As a hairstylist, you know the challenges of cutting hair on a daily basis. But nothing is more challenging than when you have to perform a children's haircut. You may specialize in adult hair, but your clients will still bring in their children to receive your services. Even If you love children, you will be challenged by the task. Children have a very short attention span and they also have very unique personalities that don't always coincide with the task at hand. By understanding the how the child works, you will be able to cut their hair with ease.

First of all you need to start off by introducing yourself in an unintimidating way. Have the receptionist seat your child client with their parent in the reception area-even if you are ready to take them right back. Meet your little client by sitting down next to them or crouching down to their level. First introduce yourself to mom or dad then to the child. Over emphasize your enthusiasm for having them in your chair. Then ask them if they can come with you back to your chair. If they won't take your hand, for whatever reason, then walk side by side with them.

You will always notice shy or scared children because they tend to not speak or they hide behind their parent. This can even happen after an appropriate introduction. Take this visual cue as an indicator that you need to work harder to warm up to them. While you are walking back to your chair ask them about school, their siblings, anything to get them to open up to you.

It is important to never be forceful at any point during the haircut. It is those moments that can scar a child and cause problems in the future. There is a good chance that the child in your chair may have already had a bad or negative experience getting their hair cut. It is now your job to make them feel comfortable and create a positive, non-threatening environment for them.

Once you walk with them to your station you need to ask them if they need help getting into the chair. If they are scared you can always have the parent sit in the chair and show them that there is nothing to be scared of. Some children will still be resistant. You can offer them a piece of candy or a snack if they get in the chair. If all else fails, you can have the parent help you get them into the chair. If that still doesn't work, have the parent sit in the chair, place a cape over them and sit the child in your lap. Draping the child can also be very difficult. The best way is just to ask for their permission and do it quickly.

Now that they are in the chair, you have to work fast. Depending on the age of the child, the attention span can last as little as a minute. You want to give a great haircut but be realistic with the child and their behavior. Most parents will be happy that the haircut got completed without the child screaming or crying, and it will be an added bonus if it looks good. A tip to help you get through this is to create distractions. And remember to keep interacting with the child.

A great distraction for the child is to have the child hold a comb under their chin and see how long they can hold it for. They will probably drop five combs, but it is a fun game some kid's like. Another fun thing is to give them a water bottle and adjust the nozzle so it sprays in a stream. Place a removable sticker on your mirror and have them try to shoot the sticker with the water bottle. Yes, it creates a mess, but it work great. Be cautioned though, some kids find it funny to squirt you. In that case, you can always take it away and offer them another distraction.

One of the biggest problems with cutting little boy's hair is the clippers and trimmers. Just think of how they feel. Here is a strange person, in a strange place, coming at their head with loud and scary objects. It is important to let the younger boy's hold them in their hand first while they are off. Let them look at it and play with it for a minute. Then take the clippers back and tell them you are going to turn them on. You will notice a lot of boy's will jump. Ask them if they want to touch the handle. Don't let them hold the clippers completely. Reassure them that they tickle and are fun. Tell them you are going to cut their hair with the clippers.

Some children, regardless of what you do, they will still cry, kick and scream. It is important to always stay positive and patient. Often, you will have to help the parent stay patient. It is usually the parents that start to get mad at their child when they don't cooperate. Assure the parent that it is normal and that there is nothing to worry about. Never get mad or angry at the child. If the child is completely unmanageable, you can always suggest to the parent that they reschedule the appointment after the child has taken a nap.

It is important to remember that parent's can sometimes bring out the worst in their child during a haircut. You can always whisper to the parent to go hang out in the reception area or lounge. Just handle it tactfully so they don't take it the wrong way.

Once the child has completed the service, make it a big deal. Ask your coworkers to compliment them on their behavior and hair. Give them a little toy or surprise in the end. You can even keep a small container of "dollar store" treats to give away. This is a crucial step so they can gain confidence in getting their hair cut in the future.

It seems like a lot of work to do a children's haircut, but the benefits can be great. The parent will be impressed with how you treated their child and that can results in very generous tips. They will also be very appreciative that they didn't leave with an upset and crying child. Whether you like to do children's haircuts or not, you will probably at one point have a child client. By following the tips listed, you can learn to cut children's hair with ease.