A social story for washing hair

Washing hair means wet scalp, a little shampoo, rinse, and towel. Eyes can close. A cloth on the forehead can help. This is not the whole bath.

Wet, shampoo, rinse

Carol Gray's 10.2 criteria ask for first person or third person, and they leave out "you" (Social Stories 10.2 Criteria, accessed November 9, 2026). The lines below are first person.

Shampoo, Then Rinse

Hair washing starts when my grown-up says it is hair time.

Water wets my hair. I can tip my head back or hold a cloth on my forehead.

A small amount of shampoo goes on. Soft fingers rub the scalp.

Rinse water washes the bubbles away. I keep my eyes closed or covered.

A towel pats my hair. Washing hair is finished.

Body washing can be a different step before or after.

Free every Tuesday

A little support for the week ahead.

Real parenting moments, an expert’s honest take, and one small idea to try. In your inbox every Tuesday.

Your email address

Join free

Get Social Stories every Tuesday. Unsubscribe whenever you like.

Match your real sink or tub

The CDC supports routines kids can predict (Tips for Relying on Routines and Rules, accessed November 9, 2026). If you wash hair in the sink, say sink. If you use a cup to rinse, say cup.

Full bath steps belong in the bath time guide. Keep this guide on hair only so the rinse fear can be practiced alone.

One practice

1. Practice cloth-on-forehead with dry hair once.
2. Wet hair only, no shampoo, as a short rehearsal.
3. Add shampoo on a day with extra time.

Later notes go out from the Social Stories email list.

FAQ

Do we have to wash hair every bath?

No. Many families wash hair a few times a week. Match the schedule you already use.

What if water in the eyes is the hard part?

Practice cloth-on-forehead with dry hair first. Then wet only, then add shampoo.

Sink or tub?

Say the real place. A sink rinse is fine if that is how your house does it.

What if shampoo burns?

Use a tear-free wash and less product. Stop and rinse with a cup if eyes sting.