Curly hair DD 5 help

[Parfortheparsnip]

Hi all,
DD 5 has very curly hair. I don't, and lack experience on how to look after it. The main issue with it is it is really difficult to tie up in the mornings for school and DD 5 gets really upset. I can only really put it in a pony tail. It knots up so quickly making any brushing really difficult when I tie it back. I use clips etc but it looks so messy pretty much instantly.
We do the curly girl method for washing and wash it twice a week. That's the only time it can be brushed through completely. We use palmers coconut products on it - I tried 'little curls' and a couple of other kids curl brands but they seemed to make it stick together even more and we had some really traumatic hair washes etc. :-(
I use childsfarm tangle spray when we brush it which helps slightly.
I would really like to be able to make it look neater for DD, all her little friends go to school with beautiful plaits etc - but I don't see any hope of ever being able to be able to plait it in the mornings.
Any advice or product recommendations appreciated!

My daughter had natural curls and ringlets at the same age. My top tip is to find a local hair dresser who can cut curly hair as it will need layers to avoid clumps of hair and regular trims to avoid knots. I also naturally curly. Curly hair does not like too much product, a decent shampoo and conditioner- think moisturising not oily, and a dab of boots curl cream and allow to dry naturally. For school hair my daughter embraced the head band and had a lovely collection, it became her signature as she couldn’t stand her hair up in a bobble for long - except for PE. Good luck - curls are beautiful!

Forgot to add - do not brush! Rake through with your fingers when washing and a wide toothed comb if you must. If nuts make an appearance in class at school a spritz of hairspray will hopefully get them to avoid her as they don’t like dirty hair !

Firstly, you don’t brush curly hair (only when it’s a wash day and is wet with conditioner in). I wouldn’t even attempt to get it ‘neat’ like her straight hair friends. Curly hair needs treating differently. Plaits are torture for us!

A pony tail or bun is fine for a child for school. If you’re really set on fancier ‘up-dos’ there are loads of tutorials online for curly hair styles.

I presume you condition it well on wash days? You need to find the all important balance with products of adding enough moisture/slip without weighing it down and adding enough hold ie gel or mouse to hold the curls without again weighing it down.

yes definitely don’t brush it. I’d use a detangling spray and wide tooth comb. We found the best products to be from only curls.

I'm also naturally curly and have nothing more to add to the excellent advice from @Hopeandmoss

Thanks so much all. I will take this on board. You're right it's beautiful, and I don't want her to hate it!

Thanks ever so much. I think I'm close to your advice re washing, I've never dried it with a hair dryer - I will look at boots curl cream. And try to find a hairdresser who knows curly hair - she's had it cut a few times which does help it - seems to her curlier when it's cut!