Babysitter facts for kids
A babysitter is someone who takes care of children when their parents are away for a short time. Many babysitters are teenagers. Babysitters are different from nannies. Nannies usually work for longer periods, while babysitters are for shorter times. Babysitting is popular in many parts of the world, like America, Europe, and increasingly in Asian countries such as Japan and China.
What Babysitters Do
Most babysitters are teenagers, often in middle school or high school. Some are even college students. They are usually 13 years old or older. Sometimes, adults also work as babysitters.
A babysitter's job can involve many things. It depends on what the parents and babysitter agree on. Some tasks might include:
- Watching a child while they sleep
- Changing diapers for babies
- Playing games with children
- Preparing simple meals or snacks
- Helping with homework or reading
- Driving children to activities, if the babysitter is old enough and has a driver's license
Training and Safety
In some countries, organizations offer special training courses for babysitters. A well-known one is the American Red Cross. These courses mainly focus on keeping children safe and learning first aid. First aid is basic medical care for injuries, like a sprained ankle.
These classes can teach babysitters how to handle different situations. They learn to keep both themselves and the children safe. This includes safety during various health issues or even different weather conditions.
One important skill taught is CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). CPR is a technique used to help someone breathe in an emergency. You can get a special certificate for learning CPR and first aid. These skills are very helpful for anyone who takes care of children.
Images for kids
-
1895 painting of a nurse reading to a little girl
