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Babysitter training
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Karen McCallum (left) also showed the students many skills that they may need in an emergency. She explained that after rescue breathing, it is best to move the victim to a rescue position on their side. With Hannah Brewer (on floor), McCallum showed the students an arm position that will help the victim turn to the side easily.
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The students had many chances to show thier skills in practice. Hannah Brewer (left) and Isabel Beil (right) practiced their rescue breathing skills on a baby mannequin in the Jan. 22 class.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .On Jan. 22, Karen McCallum (left) taught a group of 11- to 15-year-olds babysitting skills in an American Red Cross approved babysitting class.
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The students were then invited to try bandaging each other up with proper form. Olivia Morrison (left) recieved some tender loving care from her partner Kara Okular (right).
By SARAH FOOR
Looking for a great babysitter?
Fourteen 11- to 15-year-olds gave up their Saturday morning Jan. 22 for American Red Cross Babysitting training at Boardman Township Park. The students are now prepared for any sting, cut, bruise, or other emergency that comes up while on the job.
Boardman park activities director Karen McCallum sees her class as an important community resource.
“I’ve taught hundreds of these classes in the last eight years, and I’ll teach hundreds more. I think the Red Cross babysitting training is influential in getting qualified sitters out there,” she explained.
“It also helps them get set up — they leave today with business cards and resumes, and a certificate that shows parents they know their stuff,” she added.
During the Saturday program, McCallum taught the students care for infants and children, including first aid, responding effectively to emergencies, basic care routines and CPR. The class learned through practice how to perform rescue breathing and how to bandage cuts or burns.
Student Emma Worsencroft said she wanted to learn babysitting training in order to help out at home.
“I’m getting to the age where I can watch my younger brother for my mom. I want to know exactly what to do if he gets hurt or if anything else happens to him.”
Isabel Beil had similar reasons.
“I’m the oldest in my family, and I have aunts and uncles who are already discussing me watching my cousins. I wanted to do this program to show I’m prepared and that I can be trusted to be a good babysitter.”