Home Hot Topics Articles Directors' Choice Awards About Us / Contact Us Activities & Curriculum Activities for Outcome-Based Learning Arts & Crafts Music for Learning Recommended Reading Sharing Boards: What Do YOU Think? NEWSlink Current National News Conference Calendar Topics In Early Childhood Education Art and Creativity in Early Childhood Education Job Sharing Board State Licensing Requirements Stay Connected! Each month we'll send you an email filled with articles and ideas for your classroom. Subscribe Now Date: 7/20/2007 11:51:00 AM Author: Nathan Johnson (njohnson@iwcnc.org) Subject: Cursing in general Cursing in a classroom with children will happen from time to time. I have found that the less energy one gives it the less likely it is to happen again. First, try to ignore the statement or word and quickly find something to engage the child's attention elsewhere. Second, I have tried saying, 'That's an interesting word, where did you hear that?' in a non-elevated tone with as little expression as possible. Then there is a potential discussion about words that could ensue and I direct the discussion away from that particular word to other words, even words that rhyme with that word. The rhyming thing often throws the kids off quite significantly and gets them into something more fun to do, especially if you put more attention and energy into rhymes. I am sure you can think of a few words kids might say that rhyme with truck, blam, ditch, itch and even nonsense words like Dr. Suess uses. The idea is to distract and remove the power from the word. If you give it power over you as an adult, then the kids will pick up on that and make you aware of the ' on' they can push quite often. As a last resort, I talk with the kids about where that kind of word is used and how different people feel about using a word like that. Still keeping an indifferent, low-energy sort of tone. I may also talk to the parents if the child specifically says that they heard it from their parents, especially if I have a good relationship with the parents. They often will feel bad about a slip they made once or twice. This allows me to help educate the parents about cursing and the effect it has. I hope this helps. I have found it useful. Peace, Nathan Name: Email: Subject

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