See, this is just another example of us assuming that kids know what they are supposed to do. We just can't think that way. We need to tell kids some of the most obvious things because if we don't, who will?

A lot of first graders do not know how to wash their hands correctly.  I stand in the restroom doorway and watch to make sure they do it right after we have discussed it and practiced it in the classroom.  Still, I have to reteach that lesson all year long when they fall back into their old habits---such as, only rubbing their palms together to wash or putting soap on and then rinsing it off before even making a lather.

It's true----if we want a behavior, we have to teach it.

A lot of adults don't wash their hands.  That's one reason I am reluctant to eat from salad bars.  I have seen children and adults pick up the food with their hands.  It's kind of scary when you think about all of the germs.

Teachers and missionaries have always been the front runners for just about everything!!!

I think washing your hands is a very important rule to teach students in your class. I think at the beginning of the school year it would be very beneficial to make "How to wash your hands" a lesson of the day and go through all the procedures of how you should wash your hands effectively. Just think if you take the time as a teacher to teach this to your students then maybe you could be preventing things such pools being shut down because of sanitary concerns. I think teachers should start in Kindergarten and then the students should be reminded in each grade at least until 2nd or 3rd, because you know how children are; they just get in a rush and don't want to take the time to get those little hands clean. Maybe you could also do something like a bathroom moniter of the day or week that makes sure everyone washes their hands and reports back to you to let you know who did and didn't that way you could ask that person to go wash their hands. It may seem like a small thing, but it's the difference between making your whole class sick from something and keeping your class a sanitary place for your students.

Washing your hands is very important. Throughout the day you are constantly touching things that carry a lot of germs. As a school teacher I will do my best to make sure that my students wash their hands after they use the bathroom. Also, before going to lunch or having a snack, I will make sure that each one of my students go to the bathroom to wash their hands. Children need to make sure that when they wash their hands they do the one minute rule, so that they can make sure that they are cleaning their hands fully. I think hand sanitizer is not such a bad thing, but with younger children you have to make sure that you watch them carefully, because they tend to put a lot of things in their mouth that is not good. Also, like Erika said, it is very important that everybody, not just children was their hands, because it can prevent children from being sick  in your class as well as you as a teacher.