As a former early childhood educator, I’m comfortable—and proactive—when it comes to putting scissors into little hands. Understandably, that statement might be terrifying. In a preschool setting, though, it’s par for the course. We saw it all: the proud child waltzing into school after taking haircutting into their own hands and the frazzled parent trying to explain, “They did it themselves!” Don’t worry; we know. Most parents have been there.
But seriously, what is it with kids, scissors, and hair?! In our family, I’ve got both extremes: one self-proclaimed stylist and one who used to completely lose it at the mere sight of scissors. Full-on hysteria. It was awful—horrible for him and me. But as much as he hated haircuts, he hated the sweaty-hair-on-forehead combo even more, and moving to a cooler climate wasn’t an option.
Enter Sit Still Kids Salon in Green Hills. A Bunco friend recommended it, which obviously means it’s legit. We’d tried other kid-friendly salons with cute car chairs and iPad distractions, but they didn’t work for us. What makes this salon different? Honestly, it’s the people and the environment. This isn’t just a salon that accommodates kids; it’s a salon designed for them.
Picture this: sleek and clean interiors, shelves lined with hair products, simple car-shaped chairs, and iPads loaded with endless distractions. But the real magic? The stylists. They’re calm, empathetic, and genuinely invested. They listen, explain, encourage, and even laugh with you. Thanks to Ms. Tamara and her incredible patience, we went from near-panic at the thought of a haircut to begging to go back. Watching my child grin through an entire appointment felt nothing short of miraculous. Huge thanks to Kristen Maxwell, the owner of Sit Still Kids Salon, for bringing this gift to Green Hills!
Turning Haircuts into Opportunities
Yes, I said opportunity. I believe every moment in life is a chance to learn, reflect, or grow. Take, for example, the wild child who proudly gave herself a Joe Diffie mullet (rest in peace, Joe). Is it a rite of passage? A moment for silent reflection? Maybe both. Either way, Kristen and I had a good laugh as I scheduled yet another appointment.
Her salon gave me more than just a polished haircut; it gave me a teaching moment. That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce Sit Still Kids Salon x Kelly Terrell Art! Combining my somewhat vast (and oddly specific) experience with scissors and hair, I created an artsy opportunity for kids at Kristen’s salon.
Scissor Skills & Social Stories: The KTA Way
Here’s what we’re offering to help parents and kids tackle haircuts and scissor adventures with confidence:
Social Stories: Common in autism and neurodivergent communities, these scripts break down situations step by step to help kids visualize, prepare, and understand. A haircut social story? Total game-changer—for anxious kiddos and aspiring stylists who might need to learn the difference between a child’s and a stylist’s roles with scissors.
Empowerment Through Explanation: While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach with kids, information is power. By breaking down the mechanics and language of scissors, we can replace curiosity with facts and save everyone from another impromptu DIY haircut.
What are scissors, and how do they work? Seriously, have you ever stopped to explain this to a child? A little knowledge can go a long way.
Fine motor skill-building: Cutting with scissors is fantastic for building those all-important art muscles! For kids who find it challenging, start small: snipping play dough or cutting grass can be way more fun (and less frustrating) than struggling with paper.
The right tools for the job: Using age-appropriate scissors is essential, especially for anxious or curious little ones. Scissor skills don’t happen overnight—they need practice and proper guidance.
Hands-On Fun at Sit Still Kids Salon
All the Sit Still Kids Salon stories and “life lessons” are now available at kellyterrellart.com/shop. But for a more interactive experience, head to the Sit Still Kids - Green Hills salon to grab a curated collage kit!
Each kit includes:
Hand-painted papers
Gold foil
A glue stick
Safety scissors (that can’t cut hair—hallelujah!)
With these materials, your young artist can experiment with cutting papers of various weights to create their own masterpiece. Plus, the kit includes job descriptions that differentiate between a stylist’s role and an artist’s role with scissors (spoiler alert: artists cut paper).
Bringing Back Wonder
In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, let’s slow down and savor the everyday. By doing so, we can transform mundane moments into opportunities for independence and wonder.
And for my fellow "skip to the recipe" people, here’s the quick breakdown of what's available:
Social Story: Getting My Haircut (KTA x SSK)
Coloring Page/Infographic: Basics of Scissors
Job Descriptions: Stylists vs. Artists
Fine Motor Info Cards
Scissor Skills Gear | KTA Amazon Storefront (affiliate links)
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