Is stupid a bad "describing" word for a child to say in school?

Question

And should a kindergarten be punished for it, by the teacher?

The situation was not that he called anyone stupid. He was talking to himself, "This stupid itchy sweater!" And a child beside him blurts out to the teacher, "He just said "stupid". So the teacher sent him to the timeout, without asking his side of things. And the sweater wasn't wool or anything, that would drive ME nuts,

Answer 1

It seems like that situation was a little unfair, but if the teacher makes strict rules, those words will be eliminated from the classroom. The kids that tell on people out of enjoyment should probably be dealt with as well.

Answer 2

If saying "stupid" is against the classroom rules, then he should have been sent to timeout no matter the context. The whole point of punishing for language is to discourage the word's use.

If he hadn't been punished the kid beside him would have said "why isn't he in trouble, you put ME in timeout yesterday for saying stupid!" and then that kids parents would be on here asking if it was fair to only punish sometimes.

Answer 3

Ok, that is, without a doubt, the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Stupid is not a bad word, he didn't swear. I can understand that it a nice word to say, as something directed towards others. It could hurt a 5 year old's feelings. But there is no reason to get upset if he is referring to an inanimate object. The sweater isn't going to start crying and have damaged self esteem for life. The little boy who told on him needs to understand the difference and not tattle for little things. There is a difference between telling on someone out of necessity (maybe saving someone from getting hurt) and just liking to tattle and getting others in trouble for fun with no substantial reason. Tell the teacher to get some common sense, and take the kid out for some stupid ice cream.

Answer 4

Warn him first... tell him Stupid os not a nice word so describe something or somebody and next time he says it he'll have to go to the time out. And should also call the parents and tell him what he is saying and tell the parents it's a word they should stop using so he won't because it's offensive to other kids. Even though he didn't say it to a kid someday he might so you don't have to tell the parents he didn't say it to a kid. That way they'll try to avoid that word at home!

Answer 5

No - censorship is not right, and there's no reason to try and stop people from using the word stupid, especially when THEY AREN'T EVEN TALKING ABOUT A PERSON!

Honestly... some people are really pathetic. And that kid that runs to the teacher every time he hears a word to get people in trouble is part of the problem too.

Answer 6

yes cause stupid is a picking word

Answer 7

I dont tolerate any form of the word stupid in my house (my boys are 10 and 12) because I have always taught my boys not to use it even as a descriptive word because it makes people feel bad about themselves.  It's really mean and negative.  But- the teacher should always take the time to find out the exact situation before punishing a kid.  Especially a kindergartener, because they aren't used to the world yet, so little things like that can be almost traumatic;  it can really affect their self-esteem.  I would try to explain to my kid why 'stupid' is a bad choice of words, even as an adjective.  Then, if the teacher makes your kid feel confused and singled-out again, I would definitely have a talk with him/her.

Answer 8

gotta love the word n**i's.  Around where I live, "butt" is now a bad word.  The next time a five year old corrects me for saying butt, I'm just going to start using @$$ instead.

Answer 9

people are all about kids expressing themselves,,,but they arent allowed to use words like stupid, butt,dang,darn, or alot of other little words, would the teacher rather he blurt out this f****** sweater is making me itch?? i think people get carried  away with this c**p (another one of those words kids are no longer allowed to use) kids have to express frustration as well as positive emotions, and they should be allowed to do so.

Answer 10

I remember one of my first jobs as a substitute teacher, I was talking to a class of 3rd graders and was describing a choice that was clearly not the right choice, and said.  "Well that one is just kind of stupid isn't it?"

You would think I just cursed a blue streak and asked God to condemn each child's parents to purgatory from the reaction the entire class gave.....

Children in today's schools are taught that "stupid" is a 4 letter word.  This child just got his first lesson.

Answer 11

i teach pre school, my kids are 4 and 5. in the beginning of the year we go over what words are okay and what words are not okay in my classroom.

i explain to them that some words are "bad words" in all situations - the curse words, but other words are just words that aren't very kind. these words might be okay at their house or in other classrooms but in mine they are a no no. stupid is at the top of the list! i don't care what the situation, their is a nicer sounding word they can use.

i do not send a child to time out over it UNLESS it has been an ongoing thing, where I have reminded them of the policy over and over. i normally ask them to think of a couple better words they could say instead of stupid. they love to brainstorm all of the cool words they can come up with.

This stinkin' itchy sweater!

This annoying itchy sweater!

This crazy itchy sweater!

This horrible itchy sweater!

I would let it go. Tell your child not to say it again in the classroom. Obviously the teacher doesn't approve of the word.

Take CAre. SD

Answer 12

A child that age is going to experiement with alot of different words and just needs to be redirected to other words to use as an emprophization......I know from experiance in the classroom with pre school aged and kindergarten children that we as adults are there to show right from wrong. Stupid is always taken out of text especially w/ children that are learning new vocabulary everyday. And the right way of handling it in my opinion would be to ask the student what he was refering to and then telling him a different word to use such as "silly or crazy" Time out is always used as a way out instead of the teacher facing the issue and turning a "negative" into a "positive".

I would talk to the teacher and maybe give her a little advice cause after all, teachers are not perfect and have to be reminded of that

Answer 13

I think there are better choices of words to use rather than stupid. It could be that the teacher tries to make that point in her classroom.

Answer 14

I don't see what the big deal is...If he wasn't making fun of anyone. People are so annoying with words nowadays. Stupid is a fine word.