Philip's Notes to Staff and Parents

Preschool Age Children and "Words That Don't Work."

     
     The title here could be "Why Profanity Is So Popular."

     Ever wonder why, since almost everybody forbids children to use profane words, they are so widely used?

     That IS why!  Because they are so forbidden and children get such a big response from adults when they use them, they become their favorite words (even though they usually have no idea what they mean)!

     We call all so-called "profane" words, "words that don't work" not "bad" or "wrong" words and we strive to not make a big deal out of them.  We suggest the following procedure if your preschooler starts using any word that is unacceptable in your family.

     Stay calm and don't make a big deal of such words.  Making a big deal of it actually makes it attractive to the child!

     Don't worry about where he/she got the word.  "Words that don't work" (curse words) are everywhere, T.V., radio, movies, friends, etc.  You won't be able to cut off all sources of such words.  It is more valuable to the child to learn to handle them well as "words that don't work to use" - no big deal they just don't work.

     Remember that children at the preschool level have no idea what "curse words" mean.  They only notice that they make adults nutty and that's very attractive!  Simply state "This word (or words) doesn't work.  Would you be willing to not use that word? Thanks, if you forget, I will remind you."

     If the preschooler continues to "forget" and keeps using the word, it is fine to have consequences for using the word.