Sometimes the simplest things in life are the best. And in the case of teaching children important lessons about safety in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, one teacher’s simple solution has made waves on social media.
Shauna Woods is a third-grade teacher at Hallsville Schools in Missouri. Her creative method for ensuring her kids understand the importance of washing their hands is not only ingenious but also heart-warming. Woods told Good Morning America that the schools experience a spike in illness and absentees around this time every year due to viruses and the familiar common cold.
So what’s the secret behind Woods’ hand-washing lesson?
Stamps!
Woods explained that she stamps students’ hands every morning. To incentive her students for washing their hands, Woods rewards students with a prize if the stamp is washed away by the end of the day. The simple gesture could pay off immensely during a time where concern about the coronavirus outbreak is at an all-time high.
Woods explained,
“I’ve had a ‘Mrs. Woods’ stamp for years and have used it to stamp my classroom books.
I decided to grab that on a Monday morning, told students to wash their hands in the classroom sink and then come see their teacher — this was their morning work as we call it.
I put the stamp on their hands and they were sold when I told them prizes were involved.”
Of course, Woods had to educate her students that the goal wasn’t simply to wash away the stamp for the prize. Rather, she explained that it should serve as a reminder to be diligent about staying clean and germ-free throughout the entire day.
The teacher even got involved in the challenge herself and has inspired other teachers to follow suit.
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Woods said,
“Let’s be honest, some student’s biggest worry is if they’ll get to recess on time.
Providing a visual reminder and incentive has boosted their hygiene regiment.
I even joined in on the fun and put a stamp on my hand to be their positive role model.”
