Many tots loathe having to sit in a salon chair and letting a stranger fiddle around with their mane. So, getting your peewee to have a professional haircut can be quite a daunting experience.

But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, especially when those luxuriant locks get unruly.

One option is to trim junior’s hair yourself ― more relaxing home environment aside, it’ll save you a pretty penny.

Dry hair often looks shorter than the damp hair.

Here are some tips to get you started.

* Get the right tools You’ll need good pair of stainless steel shears, a plastic cape, a spray bottle for wetting your child’s hair, and a wide-tooth comb. A waterproof high chair is also a good idea, so you can bring your munchkin to a height that’s comfortable for you.

* Prepare some distractions Your tyke is going to have to sit reasonably still for a fair amount of time, so download his favourite shows on your iPad, or prep some audio books. Also, dangle a reward (a piece of chocolate should do the trick!) for a job well done for later.

* Make sure he’s in a good mood This means that your child should be well-rested and not hungry, so he won’t be cranky.

* Keep the hair damp This lets you judge how balanced your hair cut is. But remember, however, that dry hair often looks shorter than the damp hair.

· Don’t stretch hair It’s tempting to pull the hair taut before you snip, but don’t do this as it will result in a cut that’s too short. Ready to take the plunge to be your little one’s personal stylist? Use our infographic as a guide!

Illustrations: Syahirah Maszaid

How to cut short hair

Step 1: Section the hair (Pic A)

Separate the front and back section of the hair. Divide and clip the back section into 4 parts. Comb the front part from the temple, back to the crown of your child’s head.

Step 2: Trim the top (Pic B)

Starting from the left of the front section, hold a thin portion of hair straight up with the middle and index finger. Slide your fingers to the end of the hair to determine how much you want to cut. Snip off the ends ― no more than 1cm at a time. Move from left to right and back to front.

Step 3: Cut the bottom section (Pic C)

Similarly, work your way down to the back section ― start at the top left section, and snip 1cm at a time, using the length of the front section as a guide. Do the same for the bottom left, top right and bottom right sections.

Step 4: Neaten up (Pic D)

Use a mirror to check that what you have cut is balanced. Neaten the hair and trim any strays.

Cutting long hair

Step 1: Divide the hair (Pic A)

Separate the hair into the top and back sections. Take a section of hair from the back of the left ear, along with an equal amount from the back of the right ear. Clip it together at the top of your child’s head. Moving down the back of the head, take another section of hair from the back of the left ear, and clip it to an equal amount from the back of the right ear. Repeat this one last time and you should see something like what is shown in A.

Step 2: Trim the bottom (Pic B)

Hold the ends of the bottom hair between your index and middle finger and snip the tip off to the desired length, not more than 1cm at a time. Move from the left of the hair to the right.

Step 3: Release the top sections (Pic C)

Let down the next section from the bottom, and run a comb through the layers. Cut this section to match the length of the bottom-most section. Release the top sections one at the time and repeat.

Step 4: Check that length is even (Pic D)

Once you have released all the layers, part the hair at the centre and check that both sides are even.

Step 5: Trimming the fringe/bangs (pic E)

Section off the chunk of hair you want to trim from the starting point at the top of the head, to the outside of each eyebrow. The amount of hair determines how narrow or how wide you want the bangs to be. Clip the rest of the hair back, gather the fringe between your index and middle fingers, then snip along a straight line to your desired length. To adjust the length, make tiny vertical snips at the hair tip for a more natural look.

Main photo: iStock

Like us on Facebook and check SmartParents regularly for the latest reads!

You’d love these reads, too…

6 ways to make toothbrushing fun for junior! [Infographic]

10 surprising choking hazards to keep away from your tot [Photo Gallery]

EXPERT ADVICE: Does my child have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?