Beauty and fashion are exciting and legitimate interests for young children. There are so many materials, tools, textures, colours and sensations to play with!
Parents and educators may become concerned about the negative influence of popular culture. However, the topics of beauty and fashion are much broader than the latest western trends on Instagram.
Cultures around the world have diverse perspectives on what is beautiful. Early childhood educators can help children receive positive and inclusive messages about appearance and personal style.
Early Years Learning Framework
Exploring fashion and beauty can be creative (4.1), expressive (5.3) and experimental (4.2), which aligns with the EYLF. Children can feel confident, not ashamed, about their appearance and identity (1). Educators can use this interest to teach children about cultural diversity (2.2) and belonging to groups and communities (2.1).
Learning experiences
Add items to the home corner
Items relating to beauty and fashion (e.g. clothing, hair styling equipment, jewellery, mirrors, pretend bottles of cream) can be added to an area reserved for dramatic play. When you consider the appropriateness of these items, read Hair straighteners in the home corner by Karen Hope, and ask:
- Do the items encourage us to challenge everyday stereotypes?
- What values does your play space reveal?
- What are the hidden messages these items are sending?
There is a possibility these items could send negative body image messages. But they could also allow children to safely explore and ask questions about common themes in their lives. Many parents and children go to the hairdressers and use products like soap and moisturiser.
Karen Hope writes, "early childhood educators have told me they use hair straighteners and change their hairstyles and hair colour on a regular basis." She also shares her personal opinion that hairdressers "bring colour to the world."
Beauty products and clothing do not necessarily reinforce gender and cultural stereotypes. What if an educator added her own sari to the home corner and told stories about her culture and traditions? What if male children wore it too?
Research fashion design
Research fashion designers and the process behind creating clothes:
- Explain that many designers are trying to help the environment through their choice of fabrics and processes.
- Ask families if they sew or knit their own clothes. Invite them to talk to the children and show garments they have made.
- Watch the video A day in the life of a costume designer.
Design your own clothes
Cut out paper dolls and make outfits for them. Offer the children origami paper, unusual fabrics, buttons, sequins, bits of wool and ribbon, glue and pens. Alternatively, use wooden clothes pegs, old cutlery, or sticks as dolls.
Trim pretend hair
Children who are interested in hairdressing can draw their own portraits and glue or tape strips of wool as their hair. Ensure the strips of wool are quite long. Once the children have fixed the wool on their paper, they can use scissors to give their portrait a haircut.
What colour would you like your hair to be? What type of hairstyle would you like to have?
Paint your face
Face and body painting is great for self-expression, interaction and magical fun. Plan a day ahead of time, use safe products and processes, and discuss the activity with families first.
Explore fashion through culture and time
Show children pictures of diverse people wearing clothes and accessories. Choose people from different cultures and time periods. Let the children lead the conversation. Use their comments and questions as a starting point for future learning.
Resources
Music
Sesame Street: I love my hair