Books about Bad Words
📝 This post, Books about Bad Words, was originally published in 2015 and has been updated with new information and resources.
Learning what words are appropriate — and why — can be a tricky lesson for young children. I don’t know about your kids, but my little one has all of a sudden started using bad words. I cannot say here exactly which ones he has been saying, but I am sure you know just what I am talking about. Being the book person that I am, I went on a search for books about using bad words to help my son understand why we don’t use bad words in a fun way!
When I returned to the classroom, I found these books to be very helpful. Not only are they engaging, but they are really good stories!
Why Read Books about Bad Words?
So why should we read these books as parents or educators? We should read them simply because they take a serious and important topic and address it in a non-threatening way. Children often do not realize that the words they are repeating may be inappropriate or hurtful. They are simply repeating what they have heard others say. Then, it gets a reaction and can cause problems moving forward.
What Kids Learn from Books about Bad Words?
✔️ appropriate vs. inappropriate language
✔️ kindness and respect
✔️ problem-solving
✔️ social awareness
✔️ self-control
✔️ empathy
Before Reading
Before teaching these books, talk with your students or child about what they will be reading. The topic may feel uncomfortable because you are discussing something “bad.” They may also have no idea why you are bringing up the topic at all, and may be caught off guard.
Then talk about how these stories are not an invitation to use bad words! They belong in the story for a reason and are not to be used with others. I always told my son the “bad words” belong in the story, not in their mouths!!
Finally, remember to laugh together! These stories are silly and funny, and it is okay to laugh about serious or hard things as long as no one’s feelings get hurt.
Books about Bad Words
These picture books helped us start important conversations in a way that felt safe, funny, and age-appropriate.
Little Bird’s Bad Word by Jacob Grant
Little Bird learns a new word from his dad and repeats it everywhere he goes. After upsetting his friends, he realizes it is a bad word and learns to use kinder words instead.
The Very Inappropriate Word by Jim Tobin
Michael loves collecting words and discovers a new one on the school bus. After learning it is inappropriate, he and his classmates work together to find better words to use instead.
Elbert’s Bad Word by Audrey Wood
After hearing a mysterious new word at a party, Elbert accidentally lets it slip out at the wrong time. Soon, he learns that some words can cause big trouble.
After Reading
After you have read these books, don’t just leave it at that. Wrap up the reading and discussion by reviewing the lessons learned from the book(s) and brainstorm some strategies for moving forward.
💡Think about the words you hear others say before repeating them. Ask an adult for help if you are unsure!
💡 Find a better or more appropriate word. You can express your feelings with a lot of different words, and they don’t all have to be “bad” words.
💡Practice other words. What words can we use when we are angry? Frustrated? Overwhelmed? Role-play some situations and suggest other words to use.
💡 Create some funny words together to use instead of bad words! These words are fun to use and often de-escalate strong feelings!!
💡 Be ready to revisit these conversations- they will not magically make the bad words go away!
What do you do when your students use bad words?
Check out these great books:
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