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SIERRA VISTA — At 12 years old, Brianna Moore is gearing up for a 16-week babysitting gig, a big step from her first babysitting experience.
So when Moore’s mother heard about the American Red Cross basic babysitter training course — being offered by the Center for Lifelong Learning at Cochise College through its partnership with the Red Cross — Moore’s mother thought it would be a good idea given Moore is hitting an age where babysitting could be a constant in her life.
Moore completed the two-day course Sunday evening, and said she now feels ready for her new job.
“I think it was very helpful,” she said, adding that she enjoyed all the activities the class offered such as learning how to wrap a baby, change a diaper and first aid.
 On Sunday, Tawny Littler, left, and Brianna Moore, both 12, practice emergency care for a choking infant in baby sitting training by the American Red Cross. The two-day course was held at College College. (Vera Davis•Herald/Review) |
Moore was among five girls who participated in the program, which was being offered for the first time at Cochise College.
The course goes through information such as the business of babysitting, how to prevent accidents, as well as how to deal with emergency situations, among other things.
“They go through asthma attacks, choking,” said Wilda Smith, one of the instructors for the course. “We try to give them a lot more knowledge so they don’t walk out there and something bad happens.”
During Sunday’s session, the five-person class learned how to do basic first aid and how to deal with emergencies such as finding a child/infant unconscious, choking, etc.
“How do you recognize an emergency?” asked Richard Wical, the other instructor for the course. “When you’re looking at an emergency, it’s things that are out of the ordinary.
“As a babysitter, you guys need to be prepared for any situation.”
The girls went through several exercises, including learning how to bandage a cut, how to provide rescue breathing to an infant or child, and how to help a child or infant who is choking, among other things.
Through the use of videos and instruction by the teachers, the girls walked away at the end of the two-day session as certified babysitters.
“I’ll know what to do if something happens,” said Ali Ross, 15.
The girls all agreed it was a valuable class to take.
“I learned things I didn’t know,” Shanyia Parker, 12, said. “I feel very ready (to babysit); I’m excited.”
The next basic babysitting class will be held Oct. 25-26 at Cochise College. For information, contact the Center for Lifelong Learning at Cochise College at 515-5492.
Herald/Review reporter Katie Evans can be reached at 515-4611 or by e-mail at katie.evans@svherald.com.
disable mom wrote on Sep 16, 2008 1:51 PM: