If a child picks up a swear word, what is the best way to get them to not use it?

Question

My father said the word "***" in front of my 18 month old, she then repeated it. I don't want to punish her because it would deter her from repeating words I want her to learn, and she wouldn't understand why it is bad. So what is the best way to correct the situation?

Answer 1

Don't punish child for it try to change the word by saying a word thats sounds similar but is not a bad word and make it seem exciting to say aswell.

note telling a child not to and making a big issue out of it being bad then your asking for trouble. because they'll wanna do it because of your reaction.

Example the F word
SAY "DUCK" OR "TRUCK"

For A ?? word try
SAY "BASS" OR "MASS"

JUST TRY IT AND EVERYTIME YOUR CHILD SAYS THAT WORD JUST CHANGE.


Child says A??

You say "it's bass"

make it fun it works.

Answer 2

First stop reacting to the word. Act as if it were any other word and remain calm. Explain that she is not to use that word and tell her that you would like it if she did not use that word. Tell her it is not nice and leave it go.

She is going to continue with this new thing until she picks up something else so you might try exposing her to something new and fun and tell her the word for it like take her to the zoo and she might drop the old word for the new one. Sooner or later and most likely sooner she will get bored with the word and stop saying it. The size of the fuss you make over it will help determine how long she keeps doing it.

Answer 3

One of my three year olds picked up bad words from his dad, he used to say f**king b**ch and even mf!! The words spread around the classroom and many kids were saying them!

I had a hand puppet called Mr. Froggy, and Mr. Froggy REALLY likes silly words......he doesn't like bad words.
So I sat all the children down in a circle, and introduced them to Mr. Froggy and Mr. Froggy asked all of the children about their favorite silly word. The kids said 'noodles' and 'funny' and Mr. Froggy couldn't stop laughing! There was a hhuge reaction to silly words. When a child suggested 'f**king' as a silly word Mr. Froggy calmly said "no, I don't like that word, tell me another one." and the child replied "dinosaur!" and Mr. Froggy fell around laughing!
This exercise was repeated a couple of times and the swearing in the classroom stopped and was replaced by words like 'noodles' and all the kids laughing and playinf with Mr. Froggy.

This was with three year olds, for a 18month baby I would suggest that when she says that word correct her by suggesting another word. If its f**k say "Duck, d, d, duck" to suggest that f**k isn't even a word. I did that with the three year olds as well. It worked because they don't know the meaning of the words.

Hope that helps some.
My little cousin learnt to swear in gaelic when he was 18months, when we gave him no reaction to it he stopped and moved on to using more appropriate words.

Answer 4

Whenever she says it give her a firm "NO!". Try to keep at straight face, because when my daughter cursed I couldn't help but crack up later! But let her know you are serious, but don't give it too much attention or she will keep saying it, to get a reaction out of you.

Answer 5

Ignore her when she says the word. At this age whatever gets the parents attention,good or bad, is part of their arsenal.

Answer 6

Give em the belt

Answer 7

My mom used to wash out my mouth with soap

Answer 8

the one and only time my son repeated a swear word i popped his mouth. just hard enough that he felt it. not enough to leave any marks. he hasnt done that since. please dont beat your child

Answer 9

ignore it and it willstop. No breaction=no fun!!

Answer 10

She says **** you say GGGGGGRRRReat she will then start saying great every sentence