swearing

A reader recently asked:

Q: I have used several strategies to help diminish swearing in the classroom. Swearing still seems to be quite an issue. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to accomplish this???

Swearing is a common problem in the early years, and not so difficult to correct. The first thing to do is to follow the ABC approach outlined in this course to find out what the purpose is BEHIND the swearing. It is not the swearing that is the problem. It's what is causing the child to swear.

If the child is a relatively "good" kid that hears swearing at home, all it might take is a little sit-down chat with him (it's usually a "him") and let him know that although his parents swear at home, swearing is not allowed at school.

Now remember, if you take away a behavior, you need to replace it with another behavior, so the next step is to give him some words that ARE acceptable that he can use (drat, darn, or some people like to make up a funny word that has no meaning to say -- sometimes a kid gets a real charge out of this and prefers the new word).

Then, remind the child several times throughout the day in a "fun" way. Example, "Mathew, do you still remember the special word you are going to use instead of ______? Great! Keep remembering it."

Then, when the time comes that Mathew swears (as he will probably forget the new word in the heat of the moment), do not reprimand him, just give him the new word. Example, "Mathew, remember, say _______ instead!"

Now, sometimes swearing is to get attention or to vent anger. You need to do your detective work to find out. If swearing is to gain attention, I instruct the entire class to ignore Mathew when he swears. I tell Mathew in front of everyone that we don't like his bad words and are not going to listen to them. Then, when Mathew swears, model for the children how to "NOT" hear Mathew but pretending to do something else. Later, when Mathew has calmed down, talk with him and the class about how we don't use those words in the class and let the other children tell him how they don't like his bad words either.

You can also try a reward system. That would go something like this: "Mathew, we do not use bad words in this classroom. I have given you a new word to use and when you use that word, I am going to give you _____. In fact, if I catch you not using bad words, I'm also going to give you _____." Then, catch him not swearing and reward him lavishly.