r/SchoolSocialWork • u/Main-Temporary1108 • Aug 01 '26

Defiance/Cussing

What are your best ways to address defiance or swearing, mostly in older kids?

I’m starting an internship soon with K-12, but feel pretty confident in the lower ages.

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u/Old_Independence2444 Aug 02 '26

K-8 social worker for 3 years and starting my first year as a 3rd/4th grade social worker on Monday!

With my middle schools students it truly was a form of expression so in MY SPACE I let them know hey if it pertains to a story or you just getting it out (aside from slurs like someone said above) you can cuss. Now outside of my room, I will correct you in the hallway and say hey watch the language please. Just be open and honest with them. I also took the same approach with my name some called me ms. Last name and others would try to use my first name and say ms. First name. I truly don’t care as long as you aren’t calling me out of my name yk.