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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

Pet names

10 replies

MsHoneyBee · 10/05/2016 20:08

Hi all.
I had (what I thought) was an odd chat with a colleague today. I've been teaching for 3 years and I've always used pet names with the kids.
Hun, lovely, my love, darling, chicken, sweetheart, etc. It's just my personality (and use them with adults too!)

She says I ought to put a stop to it in case it 'gets me in trouble'. I've never had a parent, child, or colleague object though and genuinely don't see what could be wrong. I obviously use their name too, but generally might use pet names in the manner of:
"Miss Honey?" "Yes my love/darling etc"
Or
"Could you grab that for me sweetheart?"

Had anyone ever come in to trouble with these? Should I stop? Don't think I can help myself!
In year 3 if that helps.

Ta.

OP posts:

Maidupmum · 10/05/2016 20:29

I'm a HT and I use them too.... mainly because I can't remember everyone's names! I wouldn't worry about it. As long as you consistently do it with everyone and don't single anyone out I'm sure you'll be fine

melonribena · 10/05/2016 21:43

I teach ks1 and use all of the phrases you've mentioned. It's my personality too. I've never had anyone say anything negative and many other staff say similar.

MrsLeighHalfpenny · 10/05/2016 21:45

I'm a Brownie Leader and do the same. I can't see it would cause any problems at school with littlies

PotteringAlong · 10/05/2016 21:47

I do it. I once (about 7 years ago) had it mentioned to me by an ofsted inspector who was concerned the children might think it was patronising. I ignored them and carried on!

Wolfiefan · 10/05/2016 21:47

I wouldn't refer to a particular child as "darling" or "my love". It does seem a bit over familiar.
You wouldn't be a sweetheart and pass that over seems harmless enough.

teacher54321 · 10/05/2016 22:12

I do this because I teach every single child in the whole school and particularly with the little ones I struggle to remember their names (will teach all of year 1 together for a group lesson once a week-I haven't got a chance!) am hoping by the time they're in year 6 I'll have got their names right!!

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 10/05/2016 22:22

I do this and I teach secondary!

Original poster

MsHoneyBee · 10/05/2016 22:33

Good to see I'm not going mad. I don't think I could ever bring myself to stop. I think they'd ask find it strange if I did tbh :)

OP posts:

teacher54321 · 10/05/2016 22:40

Tbf I do call my teenage pupils lots of nicknames to make up for it there's an awful lot of 'come on and stack your chairs up you horrible bunch' and things like that!

seven201 · 11/05/2016 12:09

I think in primary it's probably OK. I work in secondary and there's one TA who does it and I've heard a lot of people gossiping say they don't think it's appropriate. I have caught some of the kids rolling their eyes when she does it. She does put on a kind of baby voice at the same time though which makes it worse.

I think it's a bit different when a student is upset though. I had a year 10 start crying (she'd been injured in PE shortly before my lesson) so to sort of lighten the mood and take the focus away from her (everyone was staring) I called her 'poor sausage' and told her to go get some air if she wanted to.

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