Plaits/Braids

Jambo Grade Three! Let's Talk About Hair!

Habari mwanafunzi! I hope you are having a wonderful day. Today, we are going to learn about something beautiful that we see all around us in Kenya – Plaits and Braids! Have you ever looked at your friend's amazing hairstyle with neat lines or decorated with colourful beads and wondered, "Wow, how is that done?" Well, today you will become a hair expert!

What Are Plaits/Braids?

A plait, which is also called a braid, is a special way of weaving three or more pieces (strands) of hair together to create one beautiful, neat rope of hair. Think of it like weaving a mat (mkeka) but with hair! We do this to make our hair tidy, strong, and very stylish.

Example Story: Meet Wanjiru. On Saturday, her mum helps her wash and oil her hair. Then, they sit outside under the shade of a mango tree, and her mum plaits her hair into neat cornrows, called 'matuta' here in Kenya. She adds blue and white beads because those are the colours of her school uniform. Now, Wanjiru is ready and smart for the whole school week!

Tools We Need for Plaiting

Before we can start plaiting, we need to gather our special tools, just like a carpenter needs a hammer and a saw. For beautiful plaits, we need:

• A Comb: To make the hair smooth and remove any tangles. A comb with a pointy tail is great for making straight parts.
• Hair Oil or Cream: To make the hair soft, shiny, and easy to handle. It also keeps our scalp healthy.
• Ribbons or Beads: To decorate our plaits and make them look colourful and fun!
• Gentle Hands: The most important tool of all! We must always be gentle with our hair.

Image Suggestion:

A colourful, flat-lay photograph of hair plaiting tools for a child. On a bright yellow background, there is a wide-toothed comb, a small jar of coconut oil, a pile of colourful plastic beads (blue, red, green), and a few shiny ribbons. The style should be cheerful and bright, suitable for a children's textbook.

Let's Do Some Plait Math!

Did you know that plaiting uses mathematics? It's true! A standard, simple plait always uses 3 strands of hair. Let's do a quick calculation.

If you want to make 4 beautiful plaits for your doll, how many strands of hair will you need to create in total?

1 Plait = 3 Strands of hair

So, for 4 plaits:
Plait 1 = 3 Strands
Plait 2 = 3 Strands
Plait 3 = 3 Strands
Plait 4 = 3 Strands

Let's add them up!
3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12 Strands

OR we can multiply!
4 Plaits × 3 Strands per plait = 12 Strands

Answer: You will need 12 strands in total!

How to Make a Simple 3-Strand Plait

Let's learn the secret steps to making a basic plait. You can practice this with some yarn or a doll's hair with help from your parent or guardian. It's a pattern: Outside piece crosses over the middle piece.

    Here are our 3 strands. Let's name them 1, 2, and 3.

        /  |  \
       /   |   \
      1    2    3
    (Left)(Middle)(Right)

    STEP 1: Take the Left piece (1) and cross it OVER the Middle piece (2).
    Now piece 1 is in the middle!

        |   /  \
        |  /    \
        2   1    3

    STEP 2: Take the Right piece (3) and cross it OVER the new Middle piece (1).
    Now piece 3 is in the middle!

        |  \    /
        |   \  /
        2    3   1

    STEP 3: Now take the new Left piece (2) and cross it OVER the new Middle piece (3).
    Keep repeating this pattern! Left over middle, right over middle...

Wow! If you keep doing that, you will have a beautiful plait. Well done!

Image Suggestion:

A close-up, cheerful photo of an African mother's hands gently teaching her young daughter how to make a three-strand plait using a piece of bright pink yarn. The focus is on the hands and the yarn, clearly showing the three strands and the weaving motion. The background is soft and warm.

Taking Care of Your Lovely Plaits

Once your hair is beautifully plaited, you must take good care of it. Here is how:

• Keep it Clean: Gently wash your scalp even with the plaits in.
• Oil Your Scalp: A happy scalp means healthy hair! Ask a grown-up to help you apply a little oil between the plaits.
• Don't Pull Too Tight: Plaits should be neat, but never painful. Tell the person plaiting your hair if it feels too tight.
• Wear a Scarf to Bed: A scarf or bonnet helps protect your plaits while you sleep so they stay neat for longer.

Fun Activity!

With help from a parent, older sibling, or guardian, find three pieces of different coloured yarn or string. Try to follow the steps we learned to make your very own 3-strand plait. You can turn it into a friendship bracelet!

Amazing work today, class! You have learned what plaits are, what tools we need, and even the secret steps to making one. You are all hair care superstars!