Brush Teeth & Hair
The toothbrush buzzing in the mouth and the brush tugging at the hair are two strong body sensations that come close together. The steps below prepare a child for both so neither catches them off guard.
♀Teeth & hair
A girl brushes her teeth with a toothbrush and her hair with a brush.
About this visual support
Two uncomfortable body sensations one right after the other ask more than a single one. The toothbrush brings vibration, taste and a full feeling in the mouth, and before that has settled the hairbrush tugs at the scalp. For a child with strong sensitivity it becomes not two separate steps but one continuous wave of discomfort that easily grows into resistance to the whole moment.
A visual support helps by separating the two steps and showing that each has a clear beginning and an end. When the child sees that the teeth come first and the hair after, it is possible to gather for one at a time instead of facing it all as a single lump. The gap between the pictures also leaves room for a small pause where the body can recover.
Put a short breathing pause between the teeth and the hair, ideally a sip of water or a deep breath, so the first sensation can fade before the second begins. That small pause means the second part is met with less charge. In the Routined app you can split the steps and place the pause in between.