How does one get a 2 1/2 year old to STOP using curse words?

Question

I am a child care provider, and we have a child who started at our center at the tender age of 2 1/2. Shortly after he started HORRIBLE curse words started coming out of his mouth. Now... none of the children here ever said anything remotely as horrific as what he says...How do we get him to STOP these words. His behavior is also very bad. He cusses at teachers and kids, wont sit still, doesn't follow direction... and isvery hyperactive. Any suggestions? He's a bright little boy. Maybe TOO bright!

Answer 1

my mom used to own a daycare and there was a kid like that. he acted the way he did because thats how he saw his parents act when they were upset or didnt like the way something was happening. find someone who is in the daycare most of the day to be his buddy. when he starts being bad send him to his buddy and try not to get upset with him. explain to him that if he will tell you what he wants differently you will fix it for him. it took my mom a long time but after a few months when he got upset he would tell his teacher i want my buddy and sometimes it was stupid stuff like he didnt like his food to touch on his plate.

Answer 2

Give him an alternative word to use also let him know there are words he can use at school and those he can't. I use sugar for sh*t, make up funny words. Puppets are good to blame behaviors on. Talk to all the children at circle time and tell them about nice words. This way you don't have to single the child out with the behavior problem. We call our puppet Mr. Backwards. He is a puppy that barks when the teacher talks, he doesn't know it's time to be quiet and listen when the teacher is talking. The children are allowed to tell the correct behavior and teach the puppet. All the children want to be good and follow the rules. This can be modified to teach a variety of appropriate behaviors. Ugly words are tough. I hope this helps in some way...

Answer 3

Kids learn from other people. It could be words he's learning off of T.V. or maybe his parents talk that way. Either way it shouldn't be acceptable. If you haven't already, try discussing the issue with his parents. Let them know that it is a problem, because if he doesn't straighten out the other kids will start copying him. Then the other parents will be complaining to you about what their kids are learning at your daycare. When he is with you tell him nicely that "we don't talk that way" each time he says a bad word. If that doesn't work make him have time-outs. Just remember as young as he is the problem will only get worse if not dealt with. And don't forget to reward his good behavior. Good luck!

Answer 4

I had one of those little potty mouths at my daycare! The mother warned me when she enrolled him, but I agreed to take him on. The very first day he was there, sure enough, he spat out the offending word she had told me about. And he used it in context! Luckily, it was only in earshot of my staff, not the other children. I immediately removed him from the play area and told him that he could not play with the other children if he continued to say bad words. I left him in time out for the standard two minutes. The next day he said it again! LOUD! I again immediately removed him from the play area and gave him the same explanation. VERY STERNLY, followed again by the time out. After the time out, I explained that he might try saying another word, instead. "OH, POOH!!!!" My husband just happened to bring me lunch in at the time I was talking to the child. He bent down and very calmly told the child he didn't want to ever hear about him talking to the ladies that way again. I used the alternate word in front of him often over the next few days . Three weeks later, the offending word hasn't been said again. ( Sigh of relief). I think by giving him another word to say in frustration without penalty, I gave him an out. It also didn't hurt that a man told him "NO". The intimidation factor. Give it a try. Good luck and I feel your pain! God bless

Answer 5

Unfortuantely, this child's behavior is learned at home. His parents or family members use the same type of language and behavior that he is displaying. I would suggest writing a note to the parents informing them that the language and behavior has to be mangaged because it's not acceptable. It may require the owner or manager of this facility to speak to the parents about this and inform them that it is not welcomed or accepted in their establishment. As far as the child. Well, being two, he is not fully aware of the impact he is having on himself or other children. Try introducing a good behavior system for him. Continue to address his negative language everytime he uses it and continue to correct his negative behavior evertime as well. Time out strategies would do wonders as well, depending on the rules and regulations of your center. Since he is so bright he will understand when you tell him that something is wrong.

Answer 6

Children learn to say what they hear, so this child obviously hears these words at home quite often. Usually, if you don't make a fuss over it they stop saying it, but since they are growing up hearing these words over and over, you will need to start at where they are hearing it. Talk to the parents and tell them that the child has picked up their language and is now using it at the center and it is not allowed. You can tell the child over and over that it's a bad word, but if they continually hear it at home, it won't do any good as they are learning from their parents that it's ok to say these words. Not going to be easy to tell parents what they can and can't say if they don't know it already. Good luck.

Answer 7

First you need to confront the parents. Obviously this is coming from his home and if possible, get them to stop cursing around their child. But then again, if they are cursing around their child, chances are they are the type of people who arne't going to be too receptive to stopping.

As for the child you need to give a warning followed by a time out (one min for every year old). Just be consistant. Remove the boy from the play are and set him in a corner for 2 minutes and EXPLAIN why he is in time out. Tell him that there are certain words that are "hurtful" to use and that you don't allow them. Once time out is over, reiterate why he is in time out and tell him if he swears again he will go in time out again and if you are allowed, give him a hug and send him back with the other kids.

The poor kid must have a horrible home life...

Answer 8

His parents need to know that his behavior is not acceptable at school. He won't be able to use those words in elementary school without getting in trouble, why should it be allowed where you are? If I had my kids at your school and the started coming home swearing and I found out you didn't so anything about it, I would find another school. He is getting this from his parents, and they need to get it under control.

Answer 9

if he does it again, isolate him from the other kids. Tell him no and then ignore it. The more fuss you make the more attention he will get, so he will just do it again!

tell the parents too. If they have been teaching the child this junk, they may need to look elsewhere for daycare since he is disrupting the other kids.

Answer 10

Clearly he is hearing them at home often enough to pick them out. Just keep reminding him that they are bad words. He will eventually tell his parents they are bad words cause obviously 2 year olds repeat everything.