Mineola Students Learn Babysitting Basics

Last week, schools across Long Island closed for the summer, leaving students with more free time to spend with their friends and family. For many, this means going to the movies, trips to the beach and afternoons in the park.

But for others, summer is also the time to start looking for a job to learn more responsibility and make a little money. To help with this process, the hosted a babysitting training course Wednesday afternoon to educate eager children in grades 6 to 12.

“I think now, in this economic time, babysitting has gained a new dimension,” American Red Cross Health Educator Ilda Catuogno, M.S., said. “Many of our young boys and girls are actually helping to support themselves as well as helping out with their families.”

According to Catuogno, who taught the two-hour class in the library’s community room, babysitting has always been popular among younger children but also gains steam in the summer when young adults have more free time.

The regular babysitting class usually runs around six hours, but Catuogno described this course as a modified “best of” version where participants learn how to find a position, interview well, different safety tips and ways to handle difficult situations they may encounter.

When asked by Catuogno why they signed up for the program, one young girl said “I prefer it over doing chores for my mom.” Other girls said they enjoy the added responsibility. Catuogno emphasized that this type of job can go a long way towards “growing up, becoming independent, and taking responsibility.”

A slideshow presentation also took students through the eyes of a babysitter. During a “hazard hunt,” they followed the computer screen through a house looking for any potential dangers to the child they are babysitting.

The girls spent time working in groups to determine what to do about a misbehaving child, encouraging participation and allowing them to experience the situations and figure out the best solution first hand.

When practicing picking up a child, Catuogno used stuffed animals which the girls used to practice. Using these props, the future babysitters also tried their hand at changing diapers.

“They’re doing a wonderful service for the neighborhood,” Catuogno said. “I really admire the girls and the boys that come to the class, that are conscientious about what they’re doing and they want to make sure they take on the responsibility of babysitting seriously while also having fun.”

Each students received a certificate stating that they completed the training class and also attended a reception with parents to help find them work.

The weekly babysitting training course is held at the library . The class will be held next Wednesday, July 6.