Super Sitters Course Proves Popular

By Tanjua Damon

The class is always full before it starts and a waiting list quickly forms for the next class. Super Sitters draws numerous middle school-aged students to Newtown Youth Services to learn about the job many teenagers take up – babysitting.

Roseanne Loring, Program and Parent Education Coordinator at NYS, offers the program for students to ask questions and learn the ins and outs of babysitting. It is an opportunity for the future babysitters to gain skills and knowledge to take with them on the job.

“My hope for ‘Super Sitter graduates’ is that they will feel more competent to handle many of the little surprises that often accompany babysitting,” she said. “Our discussions of different developmental stages, role playing, ideas for games and crafts, use of imagination and creativity, and coverage of basic first aid will, hopefully, bolster a sitter’s confidence in their ability to deal with whatever comes along.”

NYS plans for 15 to 20 students to take the class each time it is offered. Currently there are 16 future sitters in the class. Both girls and boys take advantage of the opportunity NYS offers through the Super Sitters course.

The course began because there was an interest, according to Ms Loring. That is how many of the NYS programs begin.

“As with so many of our programs, Super Sitters was begun because of interest generated in the subject,” Ms Loring said. “Newtown Youth Services investigated various programs available and found this to be versatile in its contents and is youth friendly.”

There is a class in progress now and another class will be being offered in December. The class fills so quickly that waiting lists are made. There is a class in 2001 already planned.

“The courses fill very quickly,” Ms Loring said. “We are now booking for February of 2001!”

Some of the sitters who go through the Super Sitters course will also be able to sign up for the Job Bank which is offered by Newtown Youth Services and is coordinated by Newtown High School junior David Rod. In order for a student to sign up for the job bank, he or she has to be at least 13 years old. Also he or she must fill out an application.

For more information about Super Sitters or any other youth program at Newtown Youth Services, call 270-4335.