There’s a number of reasons to keep your little ones still for a period of time whether it is to get their faces painted, their haircut or for a photograph. The great thing about kids is that the moment you tell them to sit still, they begin to fidget like crazy no matter whether they want their faces painted or their picture taken.
So here are some suggestions and ideas that I used on my own kiddo to keep her busy when I needed her to sit still:
- Tell them a story, children love a good story and if you are entertaining while you do it, they are more likely to hold still and focus on you
- Put on a DVD, the kid’s haircut store Cool Cuts offers to let kids play video games or watch DVDs while they are getting their hair cut, it’s a great way to hold their attention and distract them from the snipping at the same time
- Going to paint their face? Paint their arm and give them something to look at and an idea of how the brushes might tickle along their face
- Lay your hand gently on top of their head – this can remind them to hold still and you can help belay gentle fidgeting
- For complicated jobs, whether photographs or detailed face painting, let them take breaks to stretch
- Put a favored toy in their hands so they can snuggle it, or take comfort from it if they need it
As hard as this can be, if your son or daughter is far too fidgety for any of these things – come back and do it later. It’s not worth the stress level to either of you and you should never physically hold them still to force the issue whether it’s a hair cut or a photograph – obviously.
What other ways can you entertain your child so that they will sit still?
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