Preschool teacher styling child’s hair

[Anonymous]

Our DD (5) has long hair. We brush it daily and either fasten a clip in it or a headband. She does not like her hair pulled back into braids or ponytails. When I pick her up from school, she is not wearing a clip or headband, but usually has a braid. She says the teacher’s aide does it. DD does not seem bothered by it, so I just haven’t said anything. Why would a teacher change a child’s hair? Did we do it wrong?

[Anonymous]

This is totally normal. It was probably getting in her way.

[Anonymous]

Or it’s just an activity they like. Don’t sweat it.

[Anonymous]

I LOVED having my hair fiddled with/styled when I was a kid. Maybe the aide thinks it’s something your kid enjoys?

[Anonymous]

Why do you say she doesn't like her hair pulled back when she clearly does? Just do her hair in the morning. Clips and headbands don't stay in.

[Anonymous]

Agree, the kid likes her hair being braided as an activity or her hair is falling out/in the way. No need to say anything or assume you didn’t do it right.

[Anonymous]

My daughter’s pre-K teacher did the same thing. I think it was a nice bonding thing. The teacher was much better at braiding than me! Now that my daughter has moved classes, I miss the neat little braids she came home with. Her hair is usually all in her face now.

[Anonymous]

All the girls in my daughter’s preK LOVED when the teachers would braid their hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree, the kid likes her hair being braided as an activity or her hair is falling out/in the way. No need to say anything or assume you didn’t do it right.

Okay that makes sense. I was just trying to gauge if this is common or the aide is hinting that DD’s hair should be done differently for school.

[Anonymous]

I'm a former elementary teacher and believe it or not when I first started I noticed some of the kinder teachers play with girl's hair. I was baffled by it but just assumed they were trying to be motherly and girly with the girls. No one really batted an eye as this was seen as "loving".

[Anonymous]

I've worked at a preschool off and on for decades and when I restyle a girl's hair, it's usually because of two reasons: 1. The hair is falling out of whatever is pulling it back, and getting in the way of activities and stuff. 2. The girl is constantly playing with the clip/headband (taking it off, putting it back on, putting it on other girl's heads, etc) to the point it is distracting her and others.

I enjoy braiding others' hair but frankly I don't have the time to do that at preschool because I'm busy with the kids. Maybe it is a bonding thing at some places but I'd also consider my reasons above. Or, you can always just ask the teachers and see what they say. I've answered, "We had to put Sally's headband in her tote because she kept playing with it and it was distracting." NBD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I LOVED having my hair fiddled with/styled when I was a kid. Maybe the aide thinks it’s something your kid enjoys?

Same.
Your daughter might even be telling you she doesn't want you pulling back her hair because she wants her teacher to do it.

[Anonymous]

You're pulling too hard and the teacher's aide has a gentler touch. Ask for a demonstration!

[Anonymous]

The teacher is probably better at styling hair than you (at least that was the case with my DD at her preschool)

[Anonymous]

My daughter has long straight hair and I usually put it in a simple braid or ponytail. She always comes back with an elaborate hairdo. I love it.