Should teachers be responsible for making sure that their students coats are on?
By cream97
@cream97 (29087)
United States
October 28, 2008 4:19pm CST
If the child is in Kindergarten? Should they make sure that this child puts on their coats on before leaving the classroom? Especially if it is raining outside. If the child does not put their coats on themselves, should the teachers still tell them to put their coats on before they leave to go home for the day? If, the child walks out of the class with no coat or hat on, is it the parents fault that the child does not remember to put their coat on? Even though parents do teach the child to put on their coat, should the teachers make sure that this is done, without waiting to see if the student will put on their own coat, without being told to? What are your factual opinions on this? Does it look acceptable if the teacher allows the child to go home without putting an coat on? Who is to blame here. The teachers does not want the finger to point at them. They may feel that it is the parents responsibility to make sure that the child gets into the habit of remembering to put their own coat on without being told to do so otherwise. So, parents, teachers, and etc; what do you believe is the right way here?
9 people like this
31 responses
@lilcee (2703)
• United States
28 Oct 08
Hi cream. Yes, I think the teachers should make sure their coats are on. While the children are at school, the teachers are responsible for them. Some Kindergarten children may not remember to put their coats on and if it's cold out, I would want my child to wear a coat. I think the teacher should check and make sure they put it on.
4 people like this
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
28 Oct 08
YES, BECAUSE ITS WRONG FOR THE CHILDREN TO BE LEFT TO THINK OF IT ON THEIR OWN.Little children dont always remember and they should not be allowed outside without coats, sweaters, or jackets. I would complain and got to bat over this. It just isnt safe or healthy and it is wrong for the child to be uncomfortabe.
4 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
28 Oct 08
I believe it's the adult's responsibility to make sure the child has his/her coat, be it the teacher and/or the parent, who ever is there and in charge. Kids are kids, their little minds are all over the board so to put the responsibility souly on them at such a young age is a no no. They learn by what we tell them and if we don't tell them then how are they going to know? So who ever is there, parent or teacher or both, it's their responsibility to be sure the child is covered as well as safe.
3 people like this
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
28 Oct 08
There's this thing called personal responsibility that nobody seems to have anymore. Parents make sure that their children are dressed before they go out the door, after that its a childs responsibility to make sure they have their coat or whatever. Its not the teachers responsibility to do that.
2 people like this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
29 Oct 08
I respect your opinion... But, while the child is in the teachers care, the teacher should at least initiate to the child that they should put their coat on.. And at least make sure that their coat is on.. This is how I feel. Even if the child is supposed to know this from what their parents taught them. The teacher can observe to make sure that all students are properly wrapped up before leaving the classroom. To be a teacher is not only to teach, it is too care about their students as if it was their own child..
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
29 Oct 08
Hello, we are talking about kindergarten children some of them barely potty trained, not teenagers. The teacher assumes a level of care equivalent to the parent and at that age they cannot reliably be counted on to always make the correct decisions.
@taripres (1499)
• United States
29 Oct 08
Since they're at school, sure the teachers should tell them, y not? After all they are kids, they won't always remember. We get them dressed to go to school, they know how to put their coats on, but they're kids, they still need reinforcement!
Taripre$
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
29 Oct 08
Yes, you are right, they still do need reinforcement. Parents will make sure that at home a child has what they need on before going to school, but while they are in the teachers classroom, they should make sure that the child is properly wrapped up..
@taripres (1499)
• United States
31 Oct 08
hmm, u know what? Now that I think about it, some teachers do have an issue with making sure the kids are not running out of school wrapped up! I remember a few times earlier this year I had to put my son's scarf on and hood after he came out of the school! So, I know what u mean now!!
Taripre$
1 person likes this
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
28 Oct 08
I think its best if work is being done from both ends to be sure the child is doing what they need to do. Also the teacher could very well have said to the child "Put on your coat dear. Its cold out" and little Tommy puts on his coat but then takes it off when he gets on the bus never putting it back on. Well if it was me I would say something to the child, but that's just me. While I don't feel like anyone but a parent should punish a child, I think its everyone who is an adult to set a good example.
4 people like this
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
29 Oct 08
Yes I think if they are in kindergarten the teachers should make sure the kids got their coat on. When the kids are at school the teachers play the role of the parent. They should advise kids to put on their coats before they leave the school. They are little kids that should be reminded of once in a while.
2 people like this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
29 Oct 08
Children do not always remember that because it's cold outside, or that to stay warm when it is cold outside that they need to put on a jacket. So I do think teachers should remind children and help them put on jackets. Children don't have very good fine motor control yet so zipping up jackets and what not can be hard for them so they do need help. So I definitely think while in school, the teacher should be responsible for reminding them to put on a jacket in cold weather and for helping them put that jacket on.
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
29 Oct 08
for kindergarten,i would say so.kids that little forget things.
my teacher always made sure we had our stuff when our parents came to pick us up at the end of the day.we had little boxes with our names on it so it was easier for her.
2 people like this
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
28 Oct 08
Yes, I think teachers should be responsible for making sure the kids have their coats on when its cold or raining outside. I think the children are their responsibility when they are in their classroom, I know some teachers may have alot of students and its hard to watch each one, but thats why they also have teacher's aides in the classrooms too. I also think that parents should teach their kids to remember to wear a coat when its cold out, so I think it can go both ways. The parents aren't around when that happens, so its up to the teachers then.
2 people like this
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
29 Oct 08
Kids that age have no proper judgment of when it might be too cold for them. They are in a room, feel warm, they don't want their coat on, especially not a winter coat. The teachers should make sure the coats are on and if it is really cold, zipped up. We get constant reminders now to send in coats so they have them for recess. Kindergarten kids they make sure the coats are on and zipped. However, if a child can't do it by him-/herself, they make a general note in the newsletter about teaching your child how to zip up a coat and tie a shoe. Still, having the teacher confirm the coat is on is no guarantee that the child will keep it on. My oldest always takes her coat off on the bus. She did it in Kindergarten and still does it in second grade. Now that it gets cold I have to remind her to leave it on, because it is cold outside the bus. So now she might come off with the backpack on and the coat put on backwards to cover the front. Kids can be crazy, lol.
2 people like this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
29 Oct 08
Yes, I understand as far as an older child is concerned.. These things as this tends to happen.. But, if a child is riding home in a car, the teacher should make sure that they have on the proper garments before leaving their classroom. The parents make sure of this, when at home, so why not the teacher too?
1 person likes this
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
29 Oct 08
Hi ,
Yes , sure a teacher should tell a child to put their coat on with bad weather . It is not that hard and its good to look out for the well being for the child .
I mean once a child leaves the classroom who knows if they will leave the coat on . Parents always are saying put your coat on , or where is your coat . My parents still always say Laura where is your coat it is freezing out you will catch a cold .
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
29 Oct 08
Hi cream97,
When little children are in school and when there are going home or going out of the school, its is the responiblity of the teachers to make sure they have their coats on, after all they are litle children and sometimes they forget, once the child is with their parents then it becomes the parents responsablity. but as long as they are still within the school boundary it is the teachers' responsiblity.
Tamara
2 people like this
@despompa (472)
• Philippines
29 Oct 08
i think its the teachers duty to advise the child to put on his/her coat since its raining outside. i believe that when the child is in school, it is purely under the responsibility of the teacher sine they serve as a second mother to our kids while they are under their custody. so whatever happens to the child there on, it is under the teacher's care. plus, no matter how parent's keep on telling their children what to do, children tend to forget things that they are told to do. so it is the teacher that will remind them.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
28 Oct 08
The teacher is responsible for the child's welfare while they are at school. Making sure they are wearing their coats, hats, etc., is important. They should be responsible for this.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
28 Oct 08
cream Ilove your discussions as you bring up interesting and valid points here. a young teacher who does not have enough compassions and empathy with a child to see he or she has put on her coat, is a poor excuse for a teacher in kindergarten. she should know at that age they do not always remember to do that , they may will carry their coat home unless the teacher helps them as some kids are rebellious and some are too warm. I was like that in first grade, but we had a teacher who insisted we always have our wraps on and that was in a very cold climate in South Dakota years back.I dont think the teacher should blame the parent, its just so dammed easy to see the child puts on his or her coat,. what is their problem? I do believe its up to the teacher to oversee this.
2 people like this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
28 Oct 08
It sure is.. If the child is in their class for these long hours then, the teacher should set time apart to make sure that this is done.. If the child gets sick, then whom will they blame then.. Being that the child is in their care for these hours???
1 person likes this
@thedaddym (1731)
• United States
29 Oct 08
At the kindergarten or even first and possibly even second grade levels, the teacher should make sure they are bundled up for the cold or the rain and even assist the children if they need assistance getting ready to leave. Kindergartners are much to young to be expected to remember to put everything on themselves. They need the teacher to remind them, and of course it is good if the parents remind the child to do so as well, to remember to wear their gloves and hats.
1 person likes this
@patzel88 (3310)
• Philippines
28 Oct 08
The teachers has a big responsibility to their childrens if they are at the classroom, most especially to the kindergarten. They are the one to blame that their students are not in their proper manners thats why as parents we took our kids to school to know more knowledgeable way of conducts.
If the kids are at the school the teacher will guide them what to do, it is a hard work for the teacher for the kindergarten for they need more on attention.
As parents we have also a big responsibility to our kids, especially in terms of their health.
2 people like this
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
28 Oct 08
I think it is both the parent's responsibility as well as the teacher's. As parents, we need to tell our kids each day to be sure they wear their coats when it is cold or rainy, and teachers should do the same. It doesn't take but a moment to remind a child to put a coat on so they stay warm. After a while, most kids will begin to put their coats on without having to be reminded.
2 people like this
