This weekend I learned of a first grade club. “The teachers don’t know about it,” Sam (my first grade son) said, “So keep it quiet.”
“What is it?”
“It’s the Bad Word Club. I’m not in it, though.”
But you know a lot about it, I thought. “How do you know about it?”
“Ohhhh, you know, you see them talking and sometimes you’re just curious. So you can stop by and they’ll tell you bad words. To get in the club you have to say them. I found out there’s words that can be bad when you say them to girls but aren’t bad when you say them about dogs.”
“Yep, there are words like that.”
“I’ve been thinkin’ if you don’t want to say something in front of some people then you probably shouldn’t say it when they’re not around either.”
I’m thinking the first grade playground isn’t the only place Bad Word Clubs are meeting in schools. Unfortunately they meet in teachers’ lounges and copy rooms and hallways. Although the content is a little different, they can still be hurtful. Bad Word Clubs just may be an epidemic in schools.
It’s all too easy to fall into one. We have to be on the defense in order to avoid Bad Word Clubs. It’s too easy to fall into grumbling and complaining.
They thing is, with a little courage Bad Word Clubs are easy to redirect. With just one positive comment, one joyful report, one smile, the Bad Word Club an be spoiled.
I think the advice of the first grader is wise for us too: “I’ve been thinkin’ if you don’t want to say something in front of some people then you probably shouldn’t say it when they’re not around either.”
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What super smart advice Sam! So glad you shared about the “Bad Word Club” with your mom. She’s super smart too for making your story even more meaningful for the big people. This is one story I will be sharing again and again.
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A first-grade friend tattled that someone had said the C-word. That was a new one, so I asked him to spell it- c r e p. It’s quite similar to the E-word I learned about a few years ago- ediot.
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I think you should post Sam’s advice on the teachers’ lounge door. Sometimes we are not as wise as a first grader.
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Thank you for sharing his story-so precious and true!
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Sometimes kids have great advice, don’t they?
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That was perfect! He knows how to stay away from the “bad word” club. Love it! I needs to talk to a few of my 5th graders. 🙂
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It really is wise, Ruth. I think he must have been talking with someone wise, too! Aren’t first graders just the greatest? I video-taped a young teacher today, teaching the 5 & 6 year olds, & one of the students asked me if she would be in the credits! Thanks for yours & Sam’s wise words!
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Do you know the book, ELBERT’S BAD WORD? (There is no “bad word” in it–leaving it open to whatever your child’s experience is.)
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What a smart little guy! Good advice!
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I keep telling you, that is one wise old soul.
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