I do tell them "Please do not touch" because I think
you have to be very specific, but I always follow it
up with a positive statement of what they should do:
"Look with your eyes, not with your hands." I add
things like: "Please keep your hands at your side" or
"Hold onto your partner's hand". 

Sometimes, I try to recognize ahead of time that they
may really have the urge to touch and I try to give
them alternative things to do when that urge comes: "I
know that the objects may look especially shiny and
smooth, but instead of rubbing your hands on them,
think of words to describe how they look. Tell your
partner what you see. Try to figure out at least 2
words to describe it."

Sometimes, I give them each something to hold related
to whatever they are looking at, with the idea that if
their hands are busy,they won't be touching! Ideas
include: a picture of something to look for, a
"looking glass" or empty frame to look through."
Oftentimes, the prop I give them encourages looking,
again to emphasize what they SHOULD be doing (looking)
instead of what they shouldn't (touching).

Your young visitors would probably also benefit from a
hands-on demonstration of why they shouldn't touch.
Show them a prop (like a brass door knob) that has
been touched many times and one that hasn't. Ask them
to describe the differences. Ask them why they think
they shouldn't touch. The more hands-on and
interactive the explanation, the more meaningful it
will be to the students. 

If you have time, have the students "teach" each other
the rules. Divide the students into small groups, give
each group an index card with a rule on it. Give them
props to use. Ask them to act out or demonstrate this
rule to the whole group. 



--- Laurel Spencer-Forsythe <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> A group of educators working in collaboration with
> museum staff to develop
> curriculum materials objected to the negative
> approach to traditional museum
> rules like "don't touch" and "no running." While it
> was easy enough to put a
> positive spin on "no running" and turn it into
> "walk"-- we are having more
> trouble coming up with a positive way of
> communicating "don't touch" clearly
> in written form (this is in a PowerPoint
> presentation that serves as a field
> trip orientation). 
> 
> One teacher suggested stating the ways that touching
> damages works of art
> and artifacts, which is a method I've often seen
> used effectively, BUT we
> need a pretty basic directive not an explication of
> conservation theory.....
> The "museum rules" slide is the last slide after a
> pretty lengthy
> presentation (about 80 slides), so the message needs
> to be brief.
> 
> Any great ideas out there you can share?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Laurel Spencer Forsythe
> Executive Director
> Ruthmere
> 302 E. Beardsley Ave.
> Elkhart, IN 46514
> (574) 264-0330
> 
> www.ruthmere.org
> 
>
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