Bad Language and Behavior from Children Are Not a Laughing Matter
Dallas, TX / http://www.myprgenie.com/ / via ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 2014 / Kids hear words like, "Stupid, moron, idiot, shut up and sucks"
It may be April Fool's Day, but this is not a laughing matter. While these words aren't considered "bad" or even the "worst," they can be considered tacky and -- many would agree -- inappropriate for young children. Unfortunately, notes Chris Kent Phelps -- mother and inventor of the Tacky Box Set, these words are used all around us and our children, even in children's mass media programming.
A study by the Parents Television Council found that about once an hour children watching popular children's networks will hear mild curse words such as "stupid," "loser" and "butt." The scope and frequency can rise immeasurably with exposure to adult programs and popular music.
"We need to teach our children that words are powerful. Words can hurt," says Phelps. "Context and behavior can also define if the words they choose to use are meant to hurt someone's feelings. Not everyone is on the same page about what the 'bad' words are. The boundaries can change from one family or community or another."
Phelps is not alone in her concern. The much-loved It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown "is riddled with the kids calling each other stupid, dumb, and blockheads. There is continuous teasing and bullying. Charlie Brown is supposed to be the hero, instead he is kicked and demeaned at every turn, even by the adults giving out candy," Buzz Bishop, otherwise known as DadCamp, wrote at Babble.com.
After an experience with her then 5-year-old daughter repeating bad language she had heard, Phelps created the Tacky Box Set to combat that type of behavior as early as possible.
"If a character on a cartoon calls another one 'stupid,' my daughter gets her Tacky Box, writes the word down and puts it in the box. I can now discuss with my daughter if what he/she said was nice or meant to hurt someone's feelings. It turns the experience into a learning opportunity."
With the Tacky Box, a child writes down a bad or tacky word he/she hears or a type of bad behavior he/she sees, puts the slip of paper in the Tacky Box and removes the word or action from their mind. Parents should talk to their child, explaining why it's wrong.
Cindy Kent, Phelps' mother and a professional artist, illustrated a story to accompany the Tacky Box - Margo's (or Max's) Magnificent Choice, which she co-wrote with Phelps. The 32-page book is included in the Tacky Box Set, along with an authentic Tacky Box and a notepad illustrated with monkeys to use for writing down tacky words and actions. The Tacky Box Set is available for purchase athttp://www.tackybox.com/. Each set costs $29.95 plus shipping.
For more information on the Tacky Box Set, go to http://www.tackybox.com/
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Contact: Dana Cobb, [email protected], 972-955-9747