How to Get a Student to Stop Calling People Names

Reprimanding a student who calls another student names can prove tricky. The disciplinary action must discourage the offender from retaliating against the other student. However, you can't let the misbehavior continue on and must find a way to get a student to stop calling people names.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Post class rules regarding name calling. Work with your students to decide on the appropriate punishment for someone caught calling other students bad names.
2. Think about the reasons behind the bad behavior. Students call each other names as a way to exercise power. They want to show that they maintain control due to insecurity. Keep the psychology of the bad behavior in mind when deciding on a method of discipline.
3. Stop the student right away. You shouldn't wait until you catch a student calling other kids names. The student needs to face punishment for the first incident. If you and your class decided on detention for name calling, then you must assign it to the student.
4. Discuss the reasons why you shouldn't call other people names. Let the students know how important it is to show respect to one another.
5. Encourage good behavior. If the name calling stops, let the student know you noticed the change. Express how proud you are and tell the student to keep up the good work.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get angry at name callers. You may end up calling them a name and you'll only encourage them to continue the behavior.
• Don't force an apology from name callers. They should apologize on their own.