Responsibilities
Keeping the kids safe.
List 4 toys that would be unsafe for a child under 2.
Any toys with small parts or objects. Small toys like marbles, balls, strings, balloons etc
When putting a child in an area to play, what should you check for?
Clear the area of any sharp objects, choking hazards, pens, small objects, breakables etc.
Name two ways you can prevent tantrums
set rules, let children know what's going on, make sure children are fed and rested, give children safe choices, be flexible, give children plenty of positive attention
Name three ways you can show responsibility when babysitting.
Being prepared, showing up on time, communicating with parents respectfully, filling out a family survey, giving a report each time, reviewing family survey, planning age appropriate activities, etc...
What ways can you keep a kitchen space safe?
Keeping hot things and sharp objects out of reach of children, making sure all poisons are out of reach
List 3 suggested activities to do with a baby (0 - 12 months).
Babies like singing, talking, board books, nursery rhymes, naming things, playing in the mirror, etc.
You are sitting. The children are sleeping. Suddenly the smoke alarm goes off. What do you do?
Get yourself and the children out of the house immediately and call 911.
When you cannot change a child's behavior, what is one thing you can do
Change the environment (go outside, move to a different room, or start a new activity)
True or False. It's okay to send a Snapchat to your friend of you and the child you're sitting for. She goes to church with the child's family and they are good friends.
False. Unless a parent has given permission for you to take and share a photo, you should not be posting anything about babysitting (especially until parents are home and you are home safe!) or sharing any images of the child.
List 3 suggested activities to do with toddlers and preschoolers.
toys, play pretend, books, nursery rhymes, dance, music, blocks, pat a cake, stuffed animals, cars, puppets. Preschoolers like to color and draw but be careful. They don't always stick to paper when coloring.
Name three poisons that could look like every day items to a child.
medicines (candy), window cleaner (blue or purple koolaid), floor cleaner (apple juice)
True or False: it is harsh to set boundaries as a babysitter. That is a parent's job.
While the parents should have their own set of rules and expectations for their children when you are there, it is not too harsh for you to set your own expectations (so long as they are age appropriate and reasonable). But make sure the parents AND the children know what your expectations are.
What are some ways to calm down a child before bedtime?
singing lullabies, reading a story, storytelling, quiet play, calming jars
A child says they eat grapes all the time and they promise they will take bites of them- their mom does not cut up their grapes anymore. Is it okay to let the child have grapes?
The only way you can let a child have grapes is if parents say it is okay, and they are still cut into small pieces.
List items that you could include in a Babysitting Kit.
Books, DVDs, CDs, and toys from the library. Play dough. Safe craft supplies. Coloring books. Games. Flashlight & First Aid kit are also helpful.
What are 3 thing that we should know about the house/family we are sitting for?
Parent name, phone numbers, address, emergency contact name & phone number, where the parents are going, etc.
IF the child is old enough to make a calming jar, use hot water, clear glue, a few beads, and glitter. If the child is not old enough to make one, take the one you've made.
Allergies, emergency plan, emergency phone numbers.
A child's airway is about how wide? You can make a choke tube this size to test if any toys or food pieces are a choking hazard.
1 1/4 inches in diameter
You are sitting for two children 6 & 8. They start to play a sword fighting game with sticks. What do you do?
Ask them to put down the sticks. Suggest another game to play. Distract them with something else.
True or False: You can share pictures of the child to your social media without parent approval as long as you are in the picture as well.
False. You should never put a child on social media without parent approval or permission even if you are apart of the picture.
True or False: the child you are babysitting keeps having temper tantrums. You've warned him that if he screams again, you will spank him. He screams again. It is ok for you to spank him because you gave him a warning of that discipline.