Montessori Brushing Hair

7 months ago · Updated 7 months ago

The Montessori activity of Brushing Hair is an essential part of the Practical Life curriculum that focuses on Care of Self.

Benefits of Montessori Brushing Hair

Montessori Principles of Brushing Hair

How to Present the Brushing Hair activity

Hand using a wooden brush to smooth a young girl's hair, demonstrating the Montessori Practical Life activity of hair brushing. — This activity is designed to help children learn how to take care of themselves independently. It promotes self-care skills which are central to the Montessori philosophy.

📏 Range Age: 2.5 - 6 years (activity should be adjusted based on the child's age and skill level).

🧠 Prerequisites: Practical Life Activities (Hand Washing, Using a Comb), Sensorial Activities (Tactile Boards), Language Activities (Body Parts Vocabulary)
🛠️ Enhancement Skills: Fine Motor Skills (grip strength, coordination of movement), Self-Care Skills (independence, self-esteem).

This article explores the significance of this activity, its role in fostering independence and self-care in young children, and how parents and educators can effectively integrate this activity into their daily routines at home.

Content

What is the Montessori Brushing Hair Activity?
Benefits of the Montessori Brushing Hair Activity
Purpose of the Montessori Brushing Hair Activity
Direct Aim
Indirect Aim
Control of Error
Point of Interest
How to Present the Montessori Brushing Hair Activity?
References

What is the Montessori Brushing Hair Activity?

The Montessori Brushing Hair activity involves teaching children how to brush their hair independently. This activity not only promotes self-care but also helps children develop a sense of responsibility and independence.

It includes using a child-sized hairbrush and a mirror, allowing children to see themselves as they learn to take care of their own hair.

Benefits of the Montessori Brushing Hair Activity

Integrating the Brushing Hair activity into your child's Montessori practices has several benefits:

🧒 Boosts Independence: Children learn to take care of their appearance independently, fostering self-reliance from an early age.
🤚 Enhances Fine Motor Skills: Handling a brush and learning the strokes to effectively brush hair helps improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
🔄 Encourages Routine: Regular brushing becomes a part of the child's daily routine, promoting healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
👀 Develops Body Awareness: Children become more aware of their body parts and how to care for themselves, which is critical for their overall development.
😊 Promotes Self-Esteem: Taking pride in one's appearance can boost confidence and self-esteem, making children feel good about themselves.

Purpose of the Montessori Brushing Hair Activity

The primary purpose of the Brushing Hair activity in the Montessori setting is to nurture a child's ability to care for themselves. This activity not only teaches practical life skills but also respects the child's growing desire for independence and self-maintenance.

Direct Aim

The direct educational aim of the Brushing Hair activity is to teach children the steps and skills needed to brush their hair effectively and independently. This activity focuses on developing their order, concentration, coordination, and fostering independence as they learn to care for themselves.

Indirect Aim

This activity also supports the development of personal discipline and the establishment of daily routines, contributing to a child's sense of order and responsibility. Learning how to care for and brush their own hair plays a crucial role in building these lifelong habits.

Control of Error

The use of a mirror in the Brushing Hair activity allows children to see what they are doing, enabling them to adjust their actions and learn from their mistakes. This self-correcting process is integral to Montessori education and helps address issues such as not adjusting the mirror properly, dropping the hairbrush, brushing in an incorrect order, not returning materials to the shelf, or difficulties in getting up from the chair.

Point of Interest

The sensory experience of looking in the mirror, grasping the hairbrush, feeling the brush as it goes through the hair, and the sensation of the bristles on the scalp, along with hearing the brush go through the hair, can be very enjoyable for children. This holds their interest and motivates them to learn and perform the activity regularly, making the process of brushing hair engaging and enjoyable.

Brushing hair requires coordination and fine motor control. Children practice grasping the brush and managing the strokes, which enhances their manual dexterity.

How to Present the Montessori Brushing Hair Activity?

Materials

A child-sized hairbrush or comb, with soft bristles or wide teeth suitable for delicate hair, to teach children how to handle and use it properly.
A low mirror, positioned at the child's level to allow them to see themselves while they practice brushing their own hair, enhancing self-awareness and coordination.
A small stool or chair, providing a comfortable place for the child to sit during the activity.
Illustrated diagrams or step-by-step picture cards that show the process of brushing hair, helping children understand the sequence and technique involved.

The following instructions are montessori presentation of Brushing Hair - Brushing Own Hair :

Presentation

Introduce the Activity: Begin by explaining the importance of hair care and how brushing our hair keeps it neat and healthy.
Select the Right Brush: Help the child select an appropriate brush or comb for their hair type. Discuss the differences in hair textures and the types of brushes or combs that are best for each.
Demonstrate the Grip: Show the child how to hold the brush properly. Place the brush in their hand and guide it to ensure they have a comfortable and effective grip.
Start at the Ends: Teach the child to start brushing at the ends of the hair. Demonstrate how to gently work through knots without pulling too hard, which can cause discomfort.
Work Upwards: Once the ends are smooth, instruct the child to gradually move the brush higher up towards the roots, ensuring each section is detangled before moving higher.
Use Smooth Strokes: Demonstrate how to use long, smooth strokes from the scalp to the ends once the hair is detangled, which helps to distribute natural oils throughout the hair.
View in a Mirror: Position the child in front of a mirror so they can see themselves while brushing. This helps them understand how to manage and view all angles of their hair.
Encourage Independence: Step back and allow the child to try brushing their own hair, offering help only if they struggle with tough knots or ask for assistance.
Discuss Hair Health: Talk about how regular brushing and proper hair care can prevent tangles and keep hair looking shiny and healthy.
Clean the Brush: Show the child how to remove hair from the brush after use, explaining why it’s important to keep grooming tools clean.
Store Properly: Instruct the child on where and how to properly store the brush to keep it clean and accessible for next time.
Reflect on the Activity: Conclude by asking the child how their hair feels and looks, encouraging them to notice the benefits of their effort and promoting self-esteem.

Vocabulary

Hairbrush - "This is a hairbrush."
Hair - "This is your hair."
Brush - "Brush your hair."
Gentle - "Be gentle with your hair."
Stroke - "Make long strokes."
Tangle - "Carefully remove the tangles."
Hold - "Hold your hair with one hand."
Smooth - "Make your hair smooth."
Top - "Start from the top of your head."
Ends - "Brush to the ends of your hair."

Progressive Extensions

Introducing the Tools: Children first learn about the different tools used for hair care, such as brushes and combs. They explore how these tools feel and are taught the names and proper uses of each.
Demonstrating Technique: The educator demonstrates how to properly hold a brush or comb and the technique for brushing or combing hair gently to avoid pulling or causing pain.
Practicing on Dolls or Peers: Before attempting to brush their own hair, children might practice on dolls or, under supervision, gently brush a peer's hair. This helps them understand how much pressure to apply and how to manage different types of hair.
Brushing Own Hair: Children practice brushing their own hair, starting by learning to brush the ends and gradually working up to the roots. They learn to manage tangles and use mirrors to see all sides of their head.
Combing after Brushing: Once proficient with brushing, children learn to use a comb for finer grooming, such as parting hair or smoothing out smaller sections.
Hair Care Hygiene: Children learn about the importance of keeping their hair grooming tools clean and hygienic. This includes washing brushes and combs regularly and understanding why personal tools should not be shared.
Creating Simple Hairstyles: Older or more advanced children might learn to create simple hairstyles like ponytails, braids, or using hair accessories. This helps them develop finer motor skills and a sense of style and presentation.
Discussing Hair Care Routines: Discussions about different types of hair and the appropriate care routines for each type can be integrated. This includes understanding how often to wash hair, the types of products that might be needed, and how to protect hair from damage.

Variations & Extentions

Variations

Introduce different types of hair accessories like headbands or clips and teach children how to use them effectively after brushing.
Use brushes with different bristle types (soft, medium, hard) to explore their effects on different hair textures.
Incorporate a sensory exploration element by having children feel the texture of different brushes and describe the sensations.

Extension

Extend the activity to include making simple hairstyles such as ponytails or braids, enhancing fine motor skills and creativity.
Introduce a lesson on the anatomy of hair and scalp, including how hair grows and why it's important to keep it healthy.
Create a chart or booklet that documents various hair care techniques and the types of hair care products suitable for different hair types.

Recommendations

Regular practice is recommended to help children develop the coordination and skill needed to brush their own hair effectively.
Encourage children to reflect on and discuss how their hair feels and looks after brushing, promoting self-awareness and care.
Provide supervision initially to ensure that children are gentle with their hair and scalp to prevent pulling or breaking their hair.

References

The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori. New York: Dell Publishing. pp. 130-145.
Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula Polk Lillard. New York: Schocken Books. pp. 100-115.
Montessori Blog - The Center for Guided Montessori Studies
Educateurs sans Frontières - AMI

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Hi! I'm Chris Palomino, a B.S. in Psychology, and a mother of a precious one-year-old girl. Over the past eight years, I've been guiding children, particularly those aged 3 to 6 facing developmental and learning challenges, with a special focus on autism and ADHD.

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