The psychologist talked about ways to wean children off the mat

Children from families where they don't swear can still start using the "bad" words they've heard from their peers. This often causes confusion among parents, but the use of a mat in childhood and adolescence is different, child psychologist Alexandra Anykina told Izvestia on March 23.

"If at the age of four or six it's just a "test", learning something new, then later the mat can already be used as a provocation to parents. But if I say such a word, how will Mom react? Maybe this way I can get more attention from Dad? And it works," she said.

The expert added that if parents react calmly, explain that these words are rude and bad, then the child's interest in using them will quickly disappear.

The second wave of interest in rude words occurs when a child becomes a teenager. Feeling like an adult, doing and saying something forbidden, and appearing cool in front of your peers are important tasks of age, the psychologist explained.

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According to her, the most important thing for parents to do is to explain the rules for using such words. A child should know that this is not the way to express themselves at school, on playgrounds, in public places, at home and in front of older people. At the same time, it is necessary to recognize his right to communicate with friends as he sees fit.

"If a child uses a mat in his company, but does not talk like that at home or with teachers, in general, this is his right. As parents, we can only honestly explain what certain words mean, where and how they can and cannot be used," Anykina said.

The psychologist noted that it is useless to forbid or scold, as this will only worsen the relationship with the teenager. She suggested discussing with the child what feelings the child expresses when he swears. If a child starts using a mat at home, you should understand what is happening in the relationship between parents and a teenager.

"Remember that a child takes culture, including language, not from the yard, not from school or gadgets, but from the family. If the mat is not used in the family, then the child will not speak it," she concluded.

On March 1, psychologist and hypnotherapist Olga Siverchenko told Izvestia about ways to establish contact with a teenager. She advised building a friendly dialogue with him, sharing personal experiences and opinions, but the main thing is to listen to the child. The expert added that during this period it is important to support the child's hobbies, as well as his choice of a future profession, otherwise there is a risk of losing trust.