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Comb Your Hair Together

Let your baby copy an adult brushing their own hair, then try the action themselves.

  • 12 months
  • Quick prep
  • At home
  • About 5 minutes
Focus
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Developmental benefits

  • Cognitive：Watching and copying how you comb your hair helps your baby understand and imitate a familiar daily action.
  • Social/Emotional：Taking turns combing each other’s hair turns a daily routine into a warm, playful interaction with you.

Preparation

What You’ll Need

  1. 1

    Two hairbrushes or combs

Step 1

What Is Mom Doing?

Your baby watches everyday adult actions closely. If they touch their hair while watching you comb yours, hand them the second comb and let them imitate you.

What to notice

  • Watches curiously as you comb your hair Initiative and Curiosity
  • Turns the comb over repeatedly and examines it Exploration and Discovery

Tips

  • Choose a wide-tooth comb without sharp points or a soft silicone brush. It should feel gentle on the scalp and be easy for small hands to grasp.
  • Your baby does not need to master combing right away. Treat the process as curious exploration, with less emphasis on doing it correctly and more room to play and try.

Step 2

Your Baby Tries Combing

At first, your baby may hold the comb in an awkward way. Watch before helping. If they turn it around, point to the teeth and demonstrate once, then comb your hair beside them and let imitation do the work.

What to notice

  • Copies you placing the comb on their own head Imitation and Symbolic Representation and Play
  • Places the toothed side of the comb against their head after listening to you Attending and Understanding

Tips

  • Demonstrate combing slowly so your baby can see the motion clearly and copy it more easily.
  • Gently guide your baby’s hand to their hair or yours. Feel together how the comb touches the hair and moves through it.

Step 3

Comb Mom’s Hair

Once your baby is comfortable with the combing motion, let them become Mom’s little hairstylist and gently comb her hair.

What to notice

  • Shows enjoyment while playing the hair-combing game with you Relationships with Adults
  • Grasps the comb handle and moves the comb through your hair Fine Motor

Tips

  • Once combing is familiar, explore other care routines through play—wiping the face or washing hands—so everyday skills become familiar one at a time.
  • When your baby combs your hair, respond with an expressive, relaxed face and voice: “That feels nice. Thank you!” Your reaction offers immediate encouragement.

Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026