1. Don’t suggest to a child that handling their hair (combing, brushing or cutting) will “tickle”. The notion that what you do tickles will cause the child to react by moving their head away or to raise their shoulder up toward the head in such a way as to make haircutting difficult at best, impossible at worst. Inform the parent that “tickle” is a word not be used in connection with haircutting.
2. Children under the age of 4 to 5 will move around some during the haircut. This is to be expected and not a problem–we can move with the child’s movements, especially when scissor cutting. With a moving “target”, a good haircut is strived for in the SHORTEST time possible, but it won’t be a PERFECT haircut. You want a young customer who enjoys getting their hair cut the first time and every time. Soon enough they are sitting still for their haircut, and precision haircuts will be standard fare.
3. A little “bribery” is always a good idea. In my shop a cooperating child can either have the pick of the candy bowl, or a ride on “Sandy” the horse. Both a ride and candy can be had on request.
I listed almost 10 things you and the parent can do to make a child’s haircut easier and more enjoyable for all concerned. Any one of these things will improve your chances for success–the more you put into practice, the more you’ll benefit.
KARMA
All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.
Edwin Markham