Miss Pat couldn’t help noticing that some of the “Can Do” kids were picking up habits that weren’t very nice. She decided it was time to say something about nice habits and not so nice habits.

Lately, Hector was picking his nose in class. Kathy was talking with her mouth full at snack time and snack crumbs were getting all over her and anyone sitting next to her. Just last week, Jay started to wipe his hands on his shirt.

Most of the class didn’t mind so much about Kathy talking with her mouth full, except the kids near her when stuff fell out of her mouth. Some of the kids were starting to call Jay Pig Pen after the character in Charlie Brown. Most of the girls avoided being seen with him unless he had his coat on. Hector’s nose picking was another story; it grossed everyone out who saw him doing it. No one wanted to shake his hand or touch his stuff after he picked his nose.

Miss Pat decided it was time for the good habits, not so good habits talk. She began, “Class, I can’t help noticing that some of you are doing some things that are considered habits that are not attractive or nice. These habits can lead to others not wanting to be around you.”

Jay took a big bite of an apple. The juice ran down his chin and he used the tail end of his shirt to wipe his face, saying as he wiped,”Like what , Miss Pat?” Miss Pat answered, “Like what you are doing right now, wiping your face with your shirt.” Bobby yelled out, “I can tell what you ate all day by looking at your shirt. Use a napkin, or a paper towel!” Jay turned bright red and asked if anyone had a tissue.

Miss Pat continued by talking about personal hygiene habits. All of a sudden everyone was staring at Hector, who said,” Why is everyone looking at me? What do I do that’s so gross?” before Miss Pat could answer, Bobby called out, “You pick your nose in public, yuck!” Hector shouted back, “Big deal!” Miss Pat said, “It is a big deal, Hector. Some of your classmates don’t want to sit next to you.  Others don’t want to take things from your hands after you pick your nose. I don’t blame them. Cleaning out your nose needs to be done with tissues, and is best done in private. When you sneeze or blow your nose, you also need to use a tissue.”

Kathy chimed in, ready to complain about Hector, when Nellie said, “Kathy, you shouldn’t say anything about Hector until you stop spraying everyone near you with food because you are talking with your mouth full. ” Kathy looked as if she were about to cry.

That’s when Miss Pat took over the conversation, saying,”Boys and girls, we all need to be aware of those habits that are not polite or may offend others. If you are not sure if you have any of those habits, ask your parents or ask me. If you have a not so good habit, give it up now.”

Hector raised his hand and said, “From now on I will clean out my nose in private, using a tissue and wash my hands when I am done. Kathy raised he hand and asked,”If you see me talking with my mouth full, please tell me.” Her classmates nodded that they would. Then it was Jay’s turn to raise his hand.  “I promise to carry tissue or paper towels and use them instead of my shirt.”

Miss Pat smiled. She was so glad the children saw the need to fix their not so good habits.