Massachusetts 4-H Babysitting Course

The Massachusetts 4-H Program is prepared to help you teach youth how to be capable, caring, responsible competent babysitters! The knowledge and skills taught in this course are also appropriate for those youth learning to stay home alone.

Through this course youth can expect to learn:

• Problem solving skills
• Important safety information
• About possible career choices
• Information about making responsible decisions
• How to handle emergencies

A 4-H Educator will work with a course coordinator to set up and deliver the babysitting course in any town or city in Massachusetts. The course coordinator may be a librarian, recreation supervisor, youth worker, teacher, nurse or interested parent. The Massachusetts 4-H Babysitting Course Leader Guide explains how the course coordinator sets up the course. The coordinator does not need to do any teaching if he/she chooses not to.

The course is divided into five topics plus an introduction and graduation session. We suggest that you involve local community resource people as guest teachers to address each topic. They bring a wealth of information and skills to your group and most are happy todo this for local youth free of charge.

Babysitting course topics are:

• Safety
• First Aid
• Child Development
• Nutrition and Entertainment
• The Business of Babysitting

Additional resources are available in your local 4-H office to support this program including educational videotapes, the Massachusetts 4-H Babysitting Course Member’s Guide, and mannequins. Babysitting certificates and ID cards are available for all course graduates.

Contact your local 4-H office for additional information.