Hairdressing: Creativity, Care and Learning to Work With People

Hairdressing is a familiar part of everyday life in many Nigerian communities.

But behind a finished hairstyle are several practical abilities. There is coordination, observation, creativity, patience, and the skill of understanding what another person wants. The summer school introduced hairdressing as a practical learning activity open to children with an interest in the subject.

What the Children Experience :

At an introductory level, pupils can observe or practise age appropriate techniques. They learn to follow instructions, work carefully, and pay attention to detail. They also begin to appreciate the knowledge involved in a profession they may have previously understood only as something adults do.

Why This Matters:

Children sometimes encounter professions every day without understanding the skills required to perform them well. Giving them supervised exposure can change their perspective.

Hairdressing can involve artistry, technical training, customer service, business management, and product knowledge. For some children, discovering an interest in it may eventually lead to further training.

For others, it will remain an enjoyable creative activity. OCF believes these opportunities should not be limited by gender. A boy interested in hairdressing should be allowed to explore it. A girl who prefers technology or science should receive the same encouragement.

We should help children discover their abilities before society begins deciding which abilities are appropriate for them.