Handwashing tools for parents

E.coli is a nasty bacteria which can make children under five seriously ill as their immune systems are not yet strong enough to fight off infection.

While the majority of E.coli cases happen at home, there were 49 E.coli outbreaks in childcare settings between 2010 and 2016. We’ve created the Rufus handwashing programme to help make learning good handwashing habits fun.

Handwashing - the Rufus way

How to use these resources

Storybook

The storybook helps teach children the key times to wash their hands.

And Rufus has a fun song, sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat which everyone can sing as they are washing their hands.

Wash, wash, wash your hands,
Thumbs and fingers too,
Rinse and then make sure they’re dry,
That’s the thing to do!”

Storybook PDF (22MB)

Sink poster

Print out the poster and put it up over the sink so the children can follow the five steps.

Sink poster PDF (3.5MB)

Postear Nigh do lamha

An póstaer as Gaeilge (PDF 2.5MB)

Character cut-outs

Cut out these characters from the storybook and make puppets to create new adventures for Rufus and friends.

Character cut-outs Sheet 1 (3.5 MB) | Character cut-outs Sheet 2 (2.5 MB)

Colouring sheets

Print out these colouring sheets to create some Rufus art for your walls.

Poster (PDF 380KB) | Rufus (PDF 770KB)

Order your resource pack

Fill in the form below if you would like us to send you a Rufus storybook and sink poster. We will only send to residents of the island of Ireland.

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