How to Stay Relaxed for Cornrows

Cornrows are an adorable and intricate way to style your child's hair. The process, however, can be time consuming depending upon its volume and length. Pass the time and help your child relax with activities to entertain and distract her as you braid.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Request her assistance, asking her to string beads or hand you the bands that will hold each braid in place.

2. Schedule the hairstyling when her favorite morning television shows air. If you're working at night, however, watch a movie. Find a DVD with special interactive features and games that your child can play with the remote control.

3. Put on a compact disc and sing songs. Pick a karaoke-type disc that only plays the melody so you can make up humorous new lyrics together. Practice rhyming words as you sing.

4. Make up a story. Take turns devising alternating lines or paragraphs. Retell a famous story like "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," replacing the traditional characters with people you know.

5. Compile a special basket only available to your child during cornrow sessions. Fill it with small books, toy figures from favorite movies, metal brainteaser puzzles and travel-sized drawing boards like a mini Magnadoodle, white board with washable markers or a chalkboard and colorful chalks.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure you and your child are dressed in comfortable clothing and sitting in cushy seats that allow you to relax and move easily as you braid different sections of her hair.
• Make the hairstyling session educational. Count the number of beads or braids, play simple addition games, ask her about the bead colors and other objects that have similar shades.