Rosemary Well's "Hands off, Harry!" as a class read may be a conversation starter for the class. This children's book could be used as an ice breaker, without pointing fingers.

I would consult with your school counselor, as they may have some strategies they can share to assist you in helping the student understand why it's important to keep his hands to himself. The counselor may also be able to work with student one on one to help him understand the importance of keeping his hands to himself. If you have a co-teacher/teacher assistant/para, you all can role play different scenarios for the class to show why it's important that everyone in the class keep their hands to themselves.

I actually came up with a movement for my own toddler because he has a problem keeping his hands to himself. I told him to hold up both hands and place both hands on top of his legs. While doing this motion, I told him to say "hands to myself!" This motion is actually working for him, and his teacher actually told me she seen him perform the motion while he was in a situation with another toddler his age exhibiting hitting behaviors.

I would use this time to have a discussion with the class as a reminder. A saying that we used was "self to self" which seemed to remind the students.

I have had this same issue with a pre-kindergarten student. When it would come to carpet time the students would have assigned shapes they need to sit on. When I saw the student touching others, I would give them a warning, like please stop touching other friends or you will sit at a table. The student would stop for a little and then touch another student. So, I would send the student to one of the tables away from the carpet, so they are not around others.

I think bringing parents into the discussion is key. It is important that they are aware of the behavior, and it may be helpful for them to reinforce this behavior at home. It is important to protect the personal space of all of your students, so separating him from the other students may be necessary if the behavior doesn't cease.

I would hold a discussion or read a book related to your topic of interest. Discuss the reasons why we need to keep our hands to ourselves and ask him how he would feel if people were constantly touching him throughout the day... When he was trying to think, or play, or concentrate.