More than your average baby sitter

Think playing with dolls is only for little children? Southeast Missouri Hospital's baby-sitting program is hoping to put a stop to that notion.

During the summer, Southeast Missouri Hospital is offering its "Super Sitter" class, a program that teaches proper baby-sitting techniques and child-care information for youths age 11 to 16. The program teaches the proper dos and don'ts of baby-sitting through videos and interactive props.

One of the sections that is extensively covered in the program is the correct methods for child CPR and first aid. The "Super Sitters" are shown a video that includes a skit of a child needing CPR, followed by an instructional guide on how to correctly perform CPR on the child. Then the situation is acted out by the students.

The Super Sitters class was started in the summer of 1985.

Using lifelike mannequins, the sitters practice the correct form of CPR while the teachers observe. Fourteen-year-old Nicholle Hinkle thinks it's a good system.

"Using the dolls is a good experience and provides a very hands-on approach," she said.

At that moment, Hinkle was learning how to aid a choking child by using the mannequin "Tommy." She expertly placed her hands around the child's waist and pumped the stomach until she felt she understood the concept. She then passed Tommy to the next sitter, who must try to save his life again.

"The hardest part is putting all of the steps together," said Hinkle, referring to the list of instructions sitters learn from the video.

The sitters must also role-play what to do if a baby goes into cardiac arrest. Rebecca Henry, 11, watched as teacher Ladonna Wills instructed the students on the correct way to perform CPR.

"Most baby sitters don't stop to think about possible health problems to a child until it happens. This class helps children to be more conscious and aware about child safety," Wills said. "The mannequins give the students a great opportunity to practice life-saving techniques."

Under the supervision of Wills, Henry practiced giving CPR to the mannequin baby. She went through the normal steps, slapping the baby's feet while calling out for help. She then put her ear against the baby's mouth and nose to try to feel or hear it breathing. When it didn't respond, she began giving it mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

"This class has really helped me," she said. "I want to baby-sit and know what to do if something comes up."

Until then, however, she'll have to keep playing with dolls.

The Super Sitters class provides handouts, lunch, snacks, a Super Sitter kit and certificate. There is a fee and preregistration is required. Call 651-5825 to register for June, July or August classes.