At the Hair Salon: Scissors, Comb and Dryer
Children copy salon tools with their bodies: scissors open and close the legs with jumps, the comb travels down the body, the dryer blows and turns, and shampoo makes suds. It warms up the joints through imitation.
How to play
- We walk into the salon and sit in the chair; the teacher is the stylist and shows a gesture for each tool (1 min).
- Shampoo: rub your head, make suds with your hands and rinse by tipping the head back and forward (1 min).
- Comb: comb your hair with your hand, then comb down shoulders, arms and legs to your feet (1 min).
- Scissors: jump legs open and closed, “snip, snip,” then do it with your arms (1 min).
- Dryer: blow hard, turn your head side to side and wave arms like warm air (1 min).
- Look in the mirror: strike a pose with your new hairdo and wave with a big smile (1 min).
Rules
- Scissors are only made with our bodies.
- Heads move slowly.
- Everyone stays in their chair space.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, shampoo, comb and dryer, no scissor jumps.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, all tools and scissor jumps.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, pairs pretend to style each other, then swap; scissors become crossing the legs.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: make scissors by opening and closing the arms.
- Autism: if the child dislikes head touch, they style a doll instead.
- Visual impairment: the teacher names and touches the body part before each tool.
Learning goals
- Loosen up neck, shoulders, arms and legs.
- Imitate the actions of a job.
- Warm up gradually.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Music
Teacher tip
Neck moves are always slow, with no full head circles. Remind them stylists can be boys or girls, and rotate who plays the stylist.
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