Babysitting Basics class instructs 21 youngsters

Beginning in 2010, as part of the goal to provide health education for our community, the Odessa Healthcare Foundation began sponsoring a class called Babysitting Basics for youth ages 10-18 interested in improving their skills as a babysitter. Due to scheduling conflicts, no class was able to be offered last year. Hoping to avoid similar conflicts this year, a date during spring break was chosen.

At first, it looked as though the class would once again be cancelled. Needing to have at least 10 students, a notice was placed on the Odessa Virtual Yard Sale site on Facebook, stating, “5 more students needed or the class will have to be cancelled.” This notice brought more than five students.

On Thursday, April 7, 21 students from Odessa, Harrington, Coulee City, Wilbur and Davenport, ranging in ages from 10-14, spent the day in the basement of the Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center becoming certificated babysitters. Meagan Chapman, health educator from Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS) Community Wellness, taught this year’s class.

The students learned how to diaper, swaddle and feed a baby, plus why NEVER to shake a baby; learned appropriate food and activities for toddlers and younger children; discussed how to be keep themselves and the children they are babysitting safe; learned first aid for cuts and burns and what to do in case of an emergency; practiced what to do if a baby is choking; discussed appropriate disciple; practiced infant and child CPR and created a bag to take with them when they go to babysit.