Inappropriate language

One particular issue can be where a child picks up on inappropriate language and then brings it into the setting. As practitioners, we need to help children learn what is and isn’t socially acceptable in a variety of contexts. 

Young children often experiment with using language in inventive ways, especially when they realise that the words they use get a reaction. If the reaction they get is one of shocked disapproval, this may well exacerbate rather than resolve the issue. Children tend to model the language they hear. They will pick up on what the adults around them say, as well as the language of friends and older siblings. It is therefore so important that you, as an adult the children look up to, are really careful with the words and language you use. 

 A certain level of experimentation is normal, as young children get used to what is and is not socially acceptable in different situations. However, an important part of your role is to help children control their impulses and adapt their behaviour to suit the context.

In order to deal with this behaviour at the nursery 

• devise a response all staff follow. It might be that when you hear a child using language that is not appropriate for the setting, you take them to one side to speak to them about the words they are using. 
• react calmly so that children using these words to get an adult reaction are less likely to repeat this behaviour as it get little attention. 
• Talk to the children and tell them why they shouldn’t use these words at nursery and why they are inappropriate.
•  Give a lot more attention to that child when they are behaving well. 
• Encourage all children to use ‘kind words’ when they are at the nursery.

To help find a solution you need to identify where this behaviour is coming from. For example if a child is hearing it from an older sibling, speak to the parents and ask them to have a word with the older child.