Success Story4-H Babysitting



4-H Babysitting

Author: Molly Jordan

Planning Unit: Bracken County CES

Major Program: Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Youth and Volunteer Development

Outcome: Initial Outcome

According to a 2012 survey conducted by The American Red Cross, good babysitters are often hard to find. The survey reviled that fifty five percent of parents stay home from activities because they could not find a sitter. (http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/Survey-Shows-Parents-Struggling-to-find-Trusted-Babysitters-and-Would-Pay-More-for-Well-Trained-Teens). This same survey also found that nearly 30 percent of parents rejected a potential babysitter due to safety concerns.


During the month of February 2018, FCS agent Shannon Smith and 4-H Youth Development agent Molly Jordan and the FRYSC, partnered together to offer a babysitting training course using the updated 4-H Babysitting for Fun and for Profit curriculum. There were a total of 12 participants ranging from grades 5th through 8th. Of these 12 participants, 45% of them stated that they watch younger siblings or other family members from time to time.


Throughout four afterschool classes the participants, covered the different stages of child development. This included a trip to the local daycare for hands on activities with various ages of children. The local EMS came to a class and taught basic first aid. They also taught the participants how to do the Heimlich maneuver. The participants were able complete stations that involved bottle making, changing clothes, changing diapers, and checking toys for choking hazards. At the end of the series, the students received a babysitting bag with fun toys, wipes, choke tube testers, first aid kits, and manuals to help them in their babysitting endeavors. By the end of the series, 9 of the 12 participants scored 80% or above on their post-test.






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about 4 years ago by Molly Jordan

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about 4 years ago by Molly Jordan

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