Hair is something we all have, but have you ever thought about why it’s there? Let’s dive into the cool reasons why we have hair and how it grows!
There are two main reasons we have hair on our heads. First, it keeps our heads warm, acting like a cozy hat when it’s cold. Second, it protects our heads by cushioning them from small bumps, which is super helpful when we’re playing or moving around.
Hair does different jobs depending on where it is on our bodies. For example, eyelashes help protect our eyes by blocking too much light and dust. Eyebrows stop sweat from dripping into our eyes, which helps us see better when we’re active.
Hair starts growing under our skin in tiny places called hair follicles. Each follicle has a hair bulb at the bottom, which is full of special cells that make hair grow. These cells need nutrients from small blood vessels in the skin to grow strong and healthy.
As hair grows, it pushes up from the root and comes out of the follicle, eventually poking through the skin. The part of the hair we see is called the hair shaft. Once hair is out of the skin, the cells in it are no longer alive, which is why getting a haircut doesn’t hurt!
Did you know that most people have over 100,000 hairs on their heads? It’s normal to lose about 50 to 100 hairs every day from things like washing or brushing. But don’t worry, new hair keeps growing to replace the lost ones. Each hair grows for about two to six years, then takes a break before falling out. After that, new hair grows from the same follicle, keeping our hair looking full.
Learning about why we have hair and how it grows helps us appreciate this amazing part of our bodies. Whether it’s keeping us warm, protecting us, or just being part of how we look, hair is really important!
What do you call the visible part of the hair? Share your answer in the comments below!
Hair Observation Journal: Start a “Hair Observation Journal” where you can draw or write about different types of hair you see around you. Look at your family members, friends, or even pets! Notice the different colors, lengths, and textures. Think about why each type of hair might be useful for that person or animal. For example, does your dog have thick fur to keep warm? Share your observations with your class.
Hair Growth Experiment: With the help of an adult, plant some grass seeds in a small pot. Just like hair, grass grows from roots. Water your seeds regularly and observe how the grass grows over time. Measure the height of the grass each week and note how it changes. Discuss how this is similar to how hair grows from the roots and gets longer over time.
Protective Hair Role Play: Pretend you are different types of hair on the body and act out their roles. For example, be an eyelash and pretend to block dust from entering the eyes, or be a head of hair keeping someone warm. Think about how each type of hair helps protect or support the body in different ways. Share your role play with your family or friends and explain why each type of hair is important.
