(Back Row, L to R) Berkeley Rahn, Paula Luzardo, Natalie Malas and Eloise Green. (Front Row L to R) Trey Roost, Piper Hanson, Simone Gendreau and Molly Foster hold mannequin babies during Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course at Marinwood Community Center in San Rafael, Calif.
by Marcia Antipa
On a recent rainy day, a dozen young students aged 10 to 13 gathered at the Marinwood Community Center in San Rafael. The three boys and nine girls were there to learn some critical skills and earn an American Red Cross Certificate through the newly updated Babysitter’s Training course. Instructor Robyn Bruton began by asking the students, “What experience do you have with babysitting?” Hands shot into the air.
One girl offered “I have a lot of little cousins I hang out with.”
“I once held a baby!” called out one boy.
Bruton says there are “no wrong answers” to that question and that in this one-day class, students would gain the skills and confidence they needed to become successful babysitters. “Parents are always looking for babysitters, and they want someone they trust. I think this just adds an additional layer that they know their babysitter had a good foundation of training.”
This year, the Red Cross debuted a revamped Babysitter’s Training course, modernized for a new generation of young people. “The class definitely needed to be modernized,” remarks Bruton.
Sometimes, a Girl Scout Troop will sign up for the class together. Other times, students will come from several different schools. But Bruton observes that they soon warm up to each other.
“Part of the reason why I love this class is when all the kids come in, they’re nervous and shy. But because they’re doing all these interactive, group activities, by the time they leave, they’re all chatting, like they’ve been friends forever. They’re just so sweet and eager.”
The comprehensive course trains students in basic caregiving skills, such as feeding and diapering, positive behavior tips, keeping children safe and how to handle first aid emergencies. Students also learn the “business” of babysitting.
“It’s literally how to get a job, how to get it safely, not posting on websites or public bulletin boards. They learn how to network safely, through coaches or parents, how to make a little business card or a resume and pass it out to trusted adults,” explains Bruton.
(L to R) Molly Foster, Trey Roost and Eloise Green practice holding and feeding mannequin babies
Piper Hanson (L) and Natalie Malas (R) practice first aid response to choking on Berkeley Rahn (L) and Instructor Robyn Bruton (R)
The redesigned Red Cross Babysitter’s Training course includes guided discussions, lectures, videos and a manual for each student that has a “gaming theme” throughout. The science-based curriculum also emphasizes hands-on practice; for example, the San Rafael students learned how to feed, burp and even diaper a baby.
“That is their favorite part,” says Bruton. “We use the little infant mannequins, and of course, they always get distracted. I tell them, ‘Hands off the babies while you watch the video, then you’ll pick them up to practice burping them and feeding.’ They love it!”
These young people can take a separate Red Cross course that will certify them in CPR and First Aid. But on that rainy day, they learned some of the basics, such as kitchen safety and what to do if a child is choking. They enthusiastically paired off and practiced thumping each other on the back and gave CPR to their infant mannequins.
Cassie Hanson affirms she is glad her daughter Piper had the opportunity to learn these skills. “If she does want to babysit, she’ll have confidence. Particularly if there’s an emergency, she won’t be so scared. If something arises, she can jump in with a little bit of knowledge.”
Piper, who is 11 years old, says she has watched children while their parents were also in the home. Now, with a new Babysitter’s Training certificate, she hopes that will change. “My parents’ friends have two little girls. I want to learn how to be properly alone by myself and babysit them,” she says.
Thirteen-year-old Natalie Malas mentions she has some experience watching her cousins, but that this class and certification will open new doors for her, adding “I hope to become a babysitter and take care of kids, and not just to get money, but I like to take leadership and help people.”
Interested in becoming a certified babysitter or have someone in mind? To find a new Red Cross Babysitter’s Training Course near you, search for a class at Red Cross Training or check for course catalogs in your local Parks and Recreation Department.
Piper Hanson practices feeding a baby using a mannequin
Red Cross Babysitter’s Training Course Student Manual
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