Caring for Infants and Children

1
Caring for Infants and Children

• What are characteristics of a good childsitter?

2
Childsitting

• A childsitters checklist
• Qualifications
• Knowledge of 1st aid and CPR
• Personal
• Parents or guardians approval to childsit
• The child or children
• You meet the child or children learn their
  names/ages
• Know possible health needs
• Allergies, health problems etc.
• Details
• Details of the house
• Information
• Where are the parents going, what emergency
  numbers might you need?

3
Characteristics of a Childsitter

• Observant and alert
• Calm during emergencies
• Able to follow instructions
• Trained in first aid
• Able to recognize safety hazards
• Able to communicate with adults
• Able to communicate with children
• Patient and friendly

4
How to care for Infants and Toddlers

• Newborns to one-year-olds
• Need to feel secure
• Cry when they are hungry
• Like to touch things and put things into their
  mouth
• One to three-year-olds
• Need to feel secure
• Want to be independent
• Still egocentric

5
Childsitters skills for the care of infants and
toddlers

• Know how to pick up and hold a baby
• Know what to do when a baby cries
• Know what to do if an infant or toddler is sick
• Know how to change a diaper
• Know how to feed a baby/child
• Know how to burp a baby

6
SIDS

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrom
• The sudden unexplained death of an infant younger
  than one year
• SIDS is responsible for over 3,000 deaths each
  year in the US
• It is the leading cause of death among babies
  between the ages of two and four months

7
Causes of SIDS

• The cause of SIDS is not known for sure

8
Caring for Young Children

• Three to Five year olds
• Children in this age range enjoy playing with
  friends
• Like to learn numbers and play simple games
• Can be active and aggressive
• Five to Eight year olds
• Need to socialize with others
• Be a part of the conversation
• Like to ask questions
• Easily influenced by adults

9
Childsitters skills for the care of young
children

• Know what to do when the child is afraid
• Know what to do if the child is having a tantrum
• Time out a calming down period of time
• Know how to help a young child learn
• Know what to do if a child refuses to go to bed
• Know what to do if a child is sick
• Know how to be safe around water
• Know how to be safe around streets
• Know to be aware of potential hazards

10
Review

• ________ is the sudden and unexplained death of
  an infant
• A _______ is a person who assumes a great amount
  of responsibility for a child.
• If a child has a tantrum, he or she might need a
  ____________.