Babysitting Training Just in time for the holidays

    The Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter is offering a special
“Get Ready For The Holidays” Babysitter’s Training, Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Riverside Park building in Presque Isle, across from the courthouse parking lot.      With the holiday season approaching, moms and dads will be scheduling parties and shopping trips and they will need reliable, qualified and even better – CPR/First Aid certified, babysitters.
    This training is a great opportunity for adolescents, ages 11 to 15, to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to care for infants and children. The training program teaches the fundamentals of being a good babysitter and what to expect from the parents of the children.   
    Students will also learn how to:
 Interview for a babysitting job;  make good, responsible decisions; supervise children;  adjust your actions based on the age of the child; keep children and yourself safe in the house and outside;  choose safe and age-appropriate toys and games; and handle an emergency or illness.
    Also, perform first aid, including responding effectively to life-threatening emergencies; perform basic care routines, like diapering, feeding, and dressing infants and children; handle bedtime issues effectively; and  market yourself safely.
    The Babysitting Basics course also provides training for real life in categories that include: Essential professional, leadership, and care-giving skills; safety skills to prevent emergencies;  how to manage real-life problems, including emergencies; and tips on finding babysitting jobs.
     The babysitting course is ideal for current and future babysitters by teaching them the best ways to be safe and keep children in their care safe.
    Babysitting Basics has been previewed and supported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., Boy Scouts of America, Y.M.C.A. of the U.S.A., Boys and Girls Clubs, and by the 4-H Club. Students will receive a special portfolio and an American Red Cross Certificate for CPR and First Aid training. Cost for the training program is $45 per student.    
    For more information, call 493-4620 or e-mail knorrj@pinetree.redcross.org .  
    Seating is limited to 12 students and all registrations need to be received no later than Monday, Oct. 13, 2008.
    The Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross serves northern, central, and eastern Maine with fire and disaster relief, Armed Forces Emergency, community preparedness, and health and safety training services.