Understand why the child uses profanity. Children often use profanity to get attention, to get a reaction, out of amusement, or to mimic adults. Finding the motivation for using profanity is helpful in determining how to go about helping them stop.
Advise the preschooler that the words he is using are impolite. Inform the child that what he is saying is rude and unacceptable. Tell the preschooler, "We do not use these words at preschool."
Ignore the behavior or words to see if by not reacting, the behavior or profanity stops. Reacting to the profanity can reinforce it if the child likes the attention. It is important that your behavior deters the behavior rather than being encouraging.
Suggest alternative words to use in place of the inappropriate language. If a child is mimicking an adult to express similar emotions to what she has observed, she may only need some guidance toward using replacement words that relay similar meaning.
Suggest other ways to express anger, if this is the purpose the profanity serves. If a preschooler becomes frustrated and does not know how else to express his feelings, he may resort to profanity. Teaching preschoolers alternative methods of expression can alleviate the use of profanity in these situations.
Model the language and behavior you expect a preschooler to display. Preschoolers look up to teachers and parents as role models and mimic the behavior they see. They also generally seek approval. Give the preschooler positive attention for using appropriate language.
Encourage critical thinking and making good choices. Help preschoolers consider their options and choose how they will behave, or the words they choose to use. Explain that some choices are better than others.
Warn and enforce consequences for using profanity. Discipline with the consideration for effort being made to break a habit. When discipline is decided to be appropriate, use appropriate methods such as an increasing incremental of lost free time for profane words spoken.
Speak with the child's parents about the use of profanity in the classroom if it does not stop. Preschoolers use language they learn from others and do not necessarily understand differences between appropriate language and inappropriate language. However, do not blame the family. The family may be embarrassed or dealing with the same issue at home.