Teens learn how to be safe sitters

KENT — Ten area youngsters ages 11 and up are now certified babysitters thanks to the Safe Sitter Certification program offered at the Kent Memorial Library on Sunday, Jan 26. The library is currently the only site in northwest Connecticut that offers the training by Certified Safe Sitter trainers Sarah Marshall and Ellen Paul.

To start out the program, the children first discussed how much they charge per hour and went over the proper etiquette and procedure for taking a potential business phone call. 

They learned mnemonic devices  to help them get the proper information when scheduling a job. The first was an acronym, ASAP (Am I Able, Will I Be Safe, Am I Available and Do I Have Permission). 

Another way to ensure they have all the necessary information is the High Five Habit, which associates a particular piece of information with each finger on the hand. 

The thumb is transportation, the second or pointer finger is the address of the job, third is the employer’s phone number, the ring finger is the client’s name and the pinky finger is the date and time of the job.

The group then practiced mock phone calls in which they scheduled a pretend babysitting job to practice getting all the needed information. They also went over several reasons why they might decline a potential babysitting job, including the job being too long, an unsafe situation (for example, they don’t know the client); children who are too young (under 1 year), too many children (more than two per babysitter) or extra responsibilities such as cleaning or cooking.

Marshall and Paul then discussed different ways the youngsters could prepare for success with a babysitting job and went over the need for a safety signal with their parents or other adults. The signal would be a way for them to say they need be picked up quickly should the sitter find herself in an unsafe situation. 

They also went over preparation steps including bringing disposable gloves and wearing appropriate clothes, as well as thinking of potential activities to do with the child.

The group then practiced role play situations involving arriving at the employer’s house and what to do and go over with the parents before they leave. 

Once the parents have left, the sitters were advised to stay on guard for strange sounds at all times; to only watch television or use electronics if the parents have said it’s OK, and to only watch parent-approved television programs; to keep the house in good shape and stay awake until 10:30 p.m. 

The group also discussed the don’ts, such as don’t use your own phone or electronic devices for more than 5 minutes, don’t use headphones or anything that would keep you from hearing what’s going on around you, don’t use physical punishment, don’t tease or put down the child, don’t go through drawers in the house and don’t invite friends over to the house.

Next, the class reviewed different ways to correct specific behavior problems in the children, including crying, biting or hitting, holding their breath, hyperactivity, potty training  and saying “no.” 

They discussed how and when the behavior becomes a problem, why the child has lost control of his or her behavior, when the behavior is likely to become a problem and how to prevent it. 

The group also discussed which situations warranted calling 911 or a “back-up” adult and when they should try to handle the situation themselves.

Specific problems situations were discussed: what if a break-in happens; what if the parent is under the influence of drugs or alcohol; what if an earthquake occurs, or a fire; what if there are guns in the house; what if the power goes out. They talked about online safety, outside safety, sexual advances and water safety.

The group then reviewed everything they learned before a certification test was given at the end of the class.

The program costs $20. To find out more,including the date of the next class being offered, call 860-927-3761 or send an email to kmlinfo@biblio.org.