Before the appointment
- Show your child photos or videos of a barbershop and the tools (clippers, scissors, spray bottle, cape).
- Practise at home: brushing, touching around the ears, or the sound of an electric toothbrush in place of clippers.
- Pick a time of day when your child is usually at their best.
- Write down what helps and what upsets them, so you can share it quickly.
What to tell the barber
- Sounds, touch, or sensations your child finds hard (clippers, water spray, the cape, hair on the neck)
- How your child communicates and what words they understand
- Whether they prefer to be told each step before it happens
- Signs that they need a break
At Modern Grooming Co you can share this when you arrive or call ahead on 0494 812 195.
During the haircut
- Bring headphones, a tablet, or a favourite toy
- Let your child sit on your lap if that feels safer
- Agree a simple signal for "stop" or "break"
- Praise small steps, and stop before it becomes too much
After the haircut
Celebrate what went well, even if the cut was not finished. Keep the same barber and a similar time for the next visit. Familiarity makes each visit easier.
Building up over several visits
For some children, a full haircut in one visit is too much at first. It can help to:
- Visit just to look around and sit in the chair
- Do part of the cut, such as just the fringe or the back
- Use scissors first, then try clippers on a later visit
- Keep the same barber and similar time each visit
Small steps that go well build confidence for the next visit.