Does a Teacher Really Need to Remind Kids, "Hydrate!"

As a teacher of 20+ years, I do not know of any teacher that doesn't provide a water break at the water fountain & bathroom break after lunch (which is usually always before noon) and after PE. That is to avoid children interrupting instruction or using water breaks as an excuse to get out of their work or listening.

Most parents have no idea as to how hard it is to keep attention of 20+ kids. Especially when one asks to get water or use the restroom.. they ALL ask.. then it is 20+ min wasted. So, the planned break is the best solution.

As for bringing water bottles for the germaphobics, I usually allow them to keep them at their desk. However, 9/10 times they end up getting spilled all over the place because the child doesn't keep the top on and they play with the bottle instead of listening. It becomes a HUGE distraction.

The planned water breaks are the BEST solution for the most learning... as long as the children are instructed how to use them properly by not touching the spout and the school cleans them regularly. But as for teachers filling bottles... a 5 year old can even be taught how to fill a water bottle.

Kids can and SHOULD be taught how to do basic skills like carry their own book bag, open their own kechup packets, turn in their own homework, and be responsible for their own water. As a parent and teacher, I teach my child and students to be independent. And, they all end up in the more confident, high achiever's ranks because of it. Even Kindergarteners are SO much more capable than most parents ever imagine.

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It is a teacher's job to remind the children to drink water as the weather heats up. The district I teach in tells us to do it and it isn't hard to give time for drinks throughout the school day and make sure kids stay hydrated and healthy in the heat of late spring, summer months and into early fall if necessary.

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I grew up in Tucson AZ. I know what it's like to start school in August and the air conditioner isn't working. I can still remember waiting in line to get a drink at the fountain during recess. I can remember going home and drinking water out of the hose in our yard. But what I can't seem to remember is my teacher ever having to tell me to get a drink! Teachers have enough to worry about. If you want to send a bottle of water with your kid to school, go for it. But to expect a teacher to remind them to take a drink?! Have some faith in your kid, sign them up for baseball or something. Let them be kids, not babies that all of a sudden turn 18.

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Your ignorance on heat exhaustion or heat stroke is dangerous. If you wait until thirst is a factor to drink water it is already too late. Thirst will occur when there is a lack of fluids and salt concentration is too high. A child can already be in a dangerous state that can lead to organ shutdown by that point. I have two family members that had several trips to the doctor for heat exhaustion on the playground where they had stopped sweating and became nauseated. An elementary student does not have the capacity to think ahead to those sort of consequences if they don't drink enough water.

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When I went to school the teachers wouldn't even let you use the John if she (and most were she's then), teaching at the moment. I don't remember If anyone asked for a drink of water. However, my point is that my doctor told me the reason I had my first kidney stone was that the teachers wouldn't let you out to drink or use the toilet. I know our's used to use it as punishment to you NOT to let you leave the room.
I have had four stones, and the the kidney doc agreed with being hydrated all day was most important. I made sure if my kids had to go they were allowed and didn't take advantage. Why do you think some kids pee in there pants at school???????? Maybe they like the humiliation? NOT!!

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I don't know what it is, my parents are baby boomers. They were completely strict with me and my middle sister. It seems ever since my youngest sister came along, they refuse to cut the umbilical chord and let her grow up! It's amazing how much they let her get away with and it seems to be getting worse with the grandchildren! What ever happen to time out and spanking (not beating) when a child misbehaves? I feel for later generations.

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When I was a young girl food and drink, ANY drink, was forboden in the classroom. Asking permission to leave while in the middle of a lesson was also a "no no".

While I disagree with water in plastic bottles, and who's job it is to fill them, and reminding the critters to quench their thirst, I am exceptionally happy that kids are allowed to drink water at their desks.

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pretty soon they will be asking teachers to wipe the kids butts. give me a break. if you can't trust your child to take care of their simple needs when they reach school age, you should home school them and do everything for them yourself. teachers have large enough classrooms, that they shouldn't have to remind them to drink while they are trying to educate them.

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Children do need reminds. They are not dumb, but they are still learning. And as caring adults, parents or teachers, we should help them out.

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I work as a pre-k teacher- w/ the 4/5 year olds. Children who just turned four are old enough to not only ask for water but to get a glass or water bottle and fill it in the sink themselves. I live in an extremely dry climate (usually 10% or less humidity) and yes, we all get dehydrated from time to time. It is also a playschool- so we spend a lot of time doing physical activity.
I have yet to see heatstroke or anything else. What are these kids doing, running marathons? Backbacking for days at a time? That's when you need the gallons of water and to worry about suddenly keeling over with dehydration.
And to bring water from home? I'm sorry, I love those kids, but, what? Do you bring breakfast for your officemates in case they forgot to eat? Do you supply water for them?
Children are very capable- a 2 yr old can hang up their backpack (yes they can) a 3 yr old can put on his shoes and a 4 yr old can recognize thirst, fill a water bottle and get a long drink when needed. In fact my 5 yr olds regularly volunteer to bring the bucket of water bottles (very heavy) to the playground and then remind their friends to come drink.
And yes, i carried a water bottle to school in high school in the summer. I did this unprompted, filled it (and on hot days had frozen it ahead of time so it was nice and cold) myself, drank when thirsty (and i walked to school and back, and swam on team every night. I never once had a water bottle at practice. I have yet to have a kidney stone, heat stroke or anything else). Because i was in highschool i was responsible enough not to allow the water to distract me or spill on my work. But an 8 yr old? another story all together. I can see how trying to teach a room full of kids about long division while they all mess around w/ the bottles, one kid spills and now needs a towel and a new math sheet, and a dry book and..... I think I'd end up banning the bottles at some point. You can all go to the drinking fountain and yes you may catch a cold. God forbid you become uncomfortable.

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When I went to school (granted it was a long time ago), we got a little carton of milk during lunch. That was it. There was no snack-time, no water. We were expected to have a full belly from breakfast. Now I know times have changed but we have become a nation of fat, whiny, wimps. If you're thirsty, drink. And drink from a water fountain. So there are some germs. How else are you going to build your resistance to germs up and make your body stronger? Does anyone take responsibilty for themselves or their kids anymore? I'm and school nurse. When the kids come into my office with certain ailments or complaints I have instructions on the wall on how they can manage to take care to these things on their own. The kids love being in charge of their own health, they feel so empowered. They need much more of this (sounds like their parents could use some help too).

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I send my daughter, a second grader, to school with a reusable water bottle since the teacher will only let the kids have a bathroom and water break once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Unless the kid says that they will pee their pants if they can't go right away she will make them wait until the next break, lunch, or when school is over. She likes the bottles I got her since they have hearts and flowers on them.

This school is very afraid of being sued. They have even asked me not to put a metal fork in my daughter's lunch since she could hurt herself or one of the other students.

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