After explaining this "do not touch" concept with school children, I then explain to them that this means that their teachers can't touch either and ask for them to "help" me watch their teachers to make sure they don't touch. This, then, "puts them on my side" designated to "assist" me in protecting the artifacts from the grownups. They love it and will actually tell their teachers not to touch. It empowers someone who normally has none in those situations. Just another technique. . . Delecia Huitt Division of State Parks Festus, MO 63028 [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Kathrine L Walker Sent: Thursday, October 15, 1998 11:04 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: "please do not touch" We begin many tours, especially school tours, with a conversation about what a museum does - collect, care for and educate. We discuss the no touching rule then, explaining or asking the children to give us reasons why they shouldn't touch the art. (this also works well with college students1) We feel that treating our visitors with respect and explaining the reasons to them is more polite than stark rules. They then become equals with the staff in taking care of the art. With children, a discussion which involves their participation is a better way of getting them to remember and follow the rules. Kathrine Walker Schlageck Beach Museum of Art Kansas State University [log in to unmask]