Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Smelly Kid I guess I am still considered a novice teacher because I have been teaching for four years only. I am an elementary school teacher who teaches in a mostly White suburban setting. Couple of weeks ago a new student joined my classroom. He and his parents recently moved from Eastern Europe. His father works at the local university as a music professor. I am not sure what his mother does. He is a wonderful child. Although he speaks little English, he tries to participate in class activities and to make friends with others in the classroom. Couple days after he arrived, I noticed a strange smell around him. I was sure that it was body odor. The other students in the classroom started noticing it too. They started making fun of him. I learned in my multicultural classes when I was at the university that not all cultures promote taking showers everyday, and that body odor is not considered a problem everywhere in the world. Now I have a big dilemma. If I tell my student about it, I might embarrass him. If I sent a note to his parents, I may appear disrespectful toward their culture. But the way he is treated in the classroom by the other students is becoming a real problem. What should I do? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) The first thing to keep in mind is that body odor does not necessarily mean that the family or child in particular does not bathe. Some people sweat more than others causing body odor, also depending on the age of the child they may not have started using deodorant. I might would start with a lesson about cleanliness and bathing and include a portion about the Eastern European traditions in case that is the issue. Letting the students know about differences in cultures may help the teasing. You could also include lessons about bullying and a reminder that it is not tolerated in your class. If the problem still persists then I agree with the other solution that said your school counselor could be a helpful resource in finding other possible solutions to this problem.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: This is a good solution, we don't know if its a bathing issue. And educating the students on hygiene is good for all the students. Rated On: October 19, 2014 1:45 pm Rated By: Adam Sanchez                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I think a lesson on health would be a great idea to implement in a lesson! Rated On: July 10, 2015 2:35 am Rated By: RaMevy                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I think you present some great ideas Rated On: October 18, 2015 4:39 am Rated By: Krystalynn Gulczewski                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: this is true. but I think its a start. Rated On: October 21, 2019 12:03 am Rated By: ygyXeT