Stay away from spray gels, which can get into their eyes. Curly hair does not need to be washed everyday. If it's clean, leave it alone. If the child takes a bath, put her hair up. Any length is suitable, as long as you control the texture.
Some parents let their children's hair grow longer because the weight pulls out some of the curl.
But barrettes, bobby pins and scrunchies can help keep the hair out of their face. John Sturgill, a spokesman for KMS, recommends cutting the hair in a style that works with the curl. Don't expect your child to want to spend time straightening with a blow dryer. For African-American hair, which tends to have a tighter curl, braiding can be a good way to control the hair, Meikle said. She doesn't promote using strong relaxers on children's hair.