Play a hands-on approach to hygiene
The Food Safety Promotion Board, safefood, has produced an innovative teaching tool in the form of a drama called The Hands of Doom. It was written by award-winning author Joe O’Donnell, who has no shortage of experience writing for children, with TV favourites such as Bosco, Fortycoats and Wanderly Wagon to his credit.
The drama kit for schools includes five books, the first of which introduces the main characters including the hero, Valbrand, princess Gertrude, the mighty Hy-genie and villains, Big Bugsy, Sam and Ella.
The script takes the classic concept of good triumphing over evil, with familiar songs and plenty of humour. The creators even promise that the full musical score on CD will allow all teachers, whatever their musical abilities, to become a musical director.
A video of the performance put together by a school which piloted the programme will also be distributed along with the kit.
Maureen Brosnan, fifth class teacher at Courtenay Boys’ National School in Newcastle West, Co Limerick, said her pupils fully enjoyed the experience of producing The Hands of Doom. “It is difficult to encourage the importance of hand washing to children, one of the most simple but vital food safety messages we can give. This resource makes it simple and fun and is particularly useful as it is cross-curricular, covering music, art, drama, literacy and Social, Personal and Health Education.”
Safefood chief executive Martin Higgins said it is never too early for young people to learn about hygiene.
