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"Ghildren are apt tolive up to what youbelieve of them."

-Lady Bird Johnson,former First Lady

he magic age for babysitting is rz! That's when most

girls say they began sitting-and it's the youngest age

at which most parents say they will allow someone to

babysit for their children. Whether you're getting ready to

babysit in the future or have already started, this badge willhelp you become the best babysitter you can be.

1. Getto know how kids develop

2. Prepare for challenges

3. Focus on play

4. Find potential employers

5. Practice your babysitting skills

When t've earned this badge, l'll be prepared to babysit and

wil! have tried out my skills on the job.

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Pretend you're a GirlScout in 198O. As girlsdid to earn their TendingToddlers badge, invitea group of parents todiscuss their thoughtsabout being parents. Askthem about such thingsas the firsttimethey heldtheir babies, what makesan infantfeel secure, theimportance of talking andplaying with a child, how achild changed their lives,and any other child-caretopics you'd like to

STEP

1ffi%%%ffi.*Kids of differentagles havedifferent needs, desires,and behaviors.ln this step, do one choice to find out more about three of theseage groups: newborns, infants, toddlers, preschoolers, young kids(agesS-7), and older kids (ages 8-tO).

Take notes on what you learn about these questions (you mightturn them into a chart for easy reference!):

o What's important to know about these three age groups?

o What do kids this age look like?

o Whatdotheyactlike?

o How do they interact with others?

cHotcEs - Do oNE:

tr Observe kids in person for at least one hour.It could be at a day-care

centet, preschool, after-school program, or with an older girl who has

a regular babysitting job. Act as a scientific researcher, and take notes

about your observations. When you get home, do some research in books

or online, and compare your observations with professional opinions on

childhood development.

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Ask an expert. A school counselor, developmental psychologist, day-

care professional, or health-care provider can provide you with valuable

knowledge from their years of experience. Before your interview, do some

basic research on how kids in the three groups you're interested in act, so

you can ask informed questions.

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Find information at the library or online. Watch videos that showkids in action. Then write a one-paragraph summary of your findings foreach age level to help you remember what you've found out. (It's easier tocement information in your mind when you talk to professionals or see

things flrsthand.) You'll impress potential employers when you're able toshare all you know!

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sTgpffi#ffiThe numb€r-on€ rule of sittingis to keep kids safe!Babies and toddlers need diaperingand toilethelp. Temper tantrums, meltdowns, sibling rivalry,scrapes and tumbles, behavioral issues-it's all partof the day-to-day experience of dealing with kids.Learn crucial skills in one of thefollowingways.

€ffisi€€s * e* &s€€:

n Attend a babysitter training course. Many hospitals, colleges, and

community centers offer these courses. Your Girl Scout council might as

well. (If you attend a course that includes fi.rst aid training, that course

completes both this step and step r of the Cadette First Aid badge.)

I lnterview five moms about what they expect from a babysitter.What are the top-three behavioral, safety, and emergency situations theyexpect babysitters to be able to handle? If these are situations you aren'tprepared for, find a way to prepare, and do so.

I lnterview five experienced babysitters, nannies, or child-carespecialists. Ask about behavioral challenges and emergency situations

they've encountered on the job. What did they do? What would theysuggest you do? How would you handle those situations? If you're missing

important knowledge, find a way to get it, and go for it.

T[Fr Cir] Sc*E-ts of t]r* USA rec*mmends that yc* learn f.rsi aid, larchiidren bef*re i:abysitting alo::*. Try yorr,r Cadeit* First Aid ?:adge ta get

thes* i:np*rtant skilis, cr chsos* a babysitter training course thai incl'r:<ies

first aid fsv ehildr*n.

Differsnt ehildren l-lave different needs. [-earn from aclrild*care provider, teacher, or parent about tire special needs af

caring for a child with a disability.

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Taking care ofa baby is greatfun, if you knowhow. If you are notnervous or hurriedand the baby iskept comfortableand well, both youand the baby witlhave a good time.

-Grr1 Scour Hondbook, 1940

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lnfants (Newborn to 6 Months)o Soft mobileso Rattlesa Stuffed animals

lnfants (6 to 12 Months). Large colored blocks made of

rubber or soft material. Larige stacking boxes or cups. Squeakytoysorbellso Large ballso Simple picture booksorcloth

bookso Push-pulltoys. Teethingtoys

Toddlers (1- and 2-Year-Olds)o Building blockso Large plastictoy people and

animals. Action toys like telephones,

trains, planes, cars, and truckso Simple puzzleswith knobs. Puppetsa Drums, xylophones, or other

musical toys

Preschoolers(3- and 4-Year-Olds)

. Simpleboardgameso Storybookso Balls. Musical instrumentso Dolls, actionfigures,and props

for pretend play-cookingcleaning and carpentry

. Wagons and tricycleso Puzzles with large pieces

Younger School-Age Children(5-, 6- and 7-Year-Olds)

. Boardgamesand puzzles

. ltems related to hobbies orcollections like stickers, rocks, orminiature cars

. Electronicgames

. Fashion and action dollso Bikesandscooters

Older School-Age Children(8-, 9- and 1O-Year-Olds)

. Sportsequipment

. Bikeso Remotecontrol carso Constructionsets

i

Journeytogether! lf you babysitfor a Girl Scout, choose the activities

you most enjoyed in l-eadership Journeys for younger girls-or take

this chance to get familiar with them-and help her on her Journey.

STEP

3As you become familiar with playtime in one of these choices, takenotes to use throughout your career as a babysitter! Be aware ofsafety concerns at playtime, too-review the sidebar for a list ofsafe toys for each age group.

cHotcEs - Do oNE:

tr lnterview an educational toy or game creator. With an adult's help,

find a staff member at a game or toy company that develops toys for kids.

Prepare questions and ask for advice about how to best use the toys withkids of different ages.

I Observe kids at a toy store for two hours. First, speak with the store

manager to make sure it's okay to spend time there. (You could spend

two hours in one store, or do two one-hour sessions at different stores.)

While you're there, take notes on what kinds of games and toys are most

attractive to kids ofvarious ages.

tr Volunteer for at least two hours. It could be at a day-care center or

preschool, an after-school program, or as an assistant to an older girl with Va sitting job. As you watch kids play and interact, take note of the fun of

active games and of quieter things like drawing and crafting. (If you chose

this activity in step r, do a separate visit for this step.)

?lp: If you are passionate about an activity, the children you babysit are

likely to be, too. Kids love older kids, and they iove learning about thingsolder lcids iove to do. As you're observing and interacting, think about

what you iove to do, and what you loved to do as a littie girl, and hor,v you

might share it at your babysitting job in step 5. 1f,

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Now that you've observed and know what to expect from kids ofdifferentages, thinkabout how many kids and whatages you'dbe comfortable babysittin!. Review the "Market Prep" box forsome tips before you begin this step. Then begin to search for afamilywhose needs match your desires and capabilities. Startwith people you know well: family, friends, and neighbors. (lfyou already have a babysittingiob, use this step to find a newemployerforyourjob in step 5.)

CHOIEES - trO GNE:

I Market yourself. Have your introduction speech and your questions ready,

and call around, keeping notes on who is interested and what they need,

including if and when you should call back.

I Create a questionnaire to give to family, friends, and neighbors.

On one side of a flyer, write your name, qualifications, and the type of

babysitting job you're seeking. On the flip side, write a questionnaire for

your potential employers to filI out-it might include number of children

and their ages;when the family generally needs babysitting help; what,

if any, household responsibilities they expect you to complete;their basic

house rules; and if they have any pets.

I Gonduct interviews with potential employers. Think about places

where you might find possible customers. What about before a PTA

meeting or after a worship service?

When looking for jobs, DO NOT post your name.address, or phone number on the lnternet. DO

NOT place business cards or flyers in coffee shops,supermarkets, or other public places. lt is unsafe toallow total strangers to get your personal information.

ffiaxBwe& trxmgxBefore you start this steP,figure out the answersto the questions yourpotential employers arelikely to ask, such as what isyour rate of pay-is it by thejob or bythe hour? ls itthesamefor one child or more?(To decide, you might asksome current babysittersin your area about the'toing rate," or what theyget paid.) Whattimes areyou available, and will Youhavetransportation toand from the placewhereyou'llbe babysitting?

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s?€p&re%wFor your first job, you could co-sit with a friend, be an apprenticeto an older girl, or act as a parent's helpen Set up a job with thefamily you feel most comfortable sitting for. Know the informationtisted on the parent's form, or fil! it out with the parents (see page6). Then do one of the following to add a healthy dose of fun-forboth you and the kids! Use what you've learned in previous stepsas you pick the right kind of fun for you and your charges.

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il Come prepared foragame. You could plan a scavenger hunt, teach your

favorite board game (or learn to play the kids'favorite before you arrive), or

bring a great bedtime story to read using fun voices for each character.

': ', . . ::: .,,,, FUN: Customize an existing toy or game.

il Make a tasty snack. Are the kids allowed snacks? Ask what :r.:

foods,ifany,wilIbeavai]able,andifit,sokaytomakeakid-friendly recipe. What about raisin faces on jelly toast, no-bake i' lu

granola bars, or fruit smoothies? If the kids are old enough,

Iet them help you make the recipe-it's a great chance to I l

teachthemabouthealthyliving. >%e -

.. , " : , , FUN. Find out the child's favorite foods, and * =-'a

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create a great snack using them!

n Plan a fun craft. Find a simple recipe

for play dough, bring paper bags tomake puppets with, or ask about familyart supplies and teach a little lesson

about an art or craft you enjoy (or wantto learn with the kids).

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c: rr:*ais. y*1i may -r+e::,i ir: ittalqe :sche*uie t'3 1;g''1 kn*"""r":,"sh .l i* d*:r,'h*;-r. ef rr"ir;:*, ash pal*r"iis i.l'ilt*kids h;;ve a r*gr:1a; s:i-'ed$1* a:r*i'*:i

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A parent's helper issomeone who helps withkids while the parent orparents are at home-butbusy with somethingelse-orwhogoes alongwith a family on a trip. lt'sgreat on-the-job training.Then, when you're feelingconfident, the parents feelcomfortable, and you'vegotten to knowthe kids,you're likelyto bethefirst person they'll callonfor regular babysitting.

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"Hdd the Badge toYour JourneyWhen you do some babysitting for step 5, try getting

younger kids to be "aware of air" by doing one of the funactivities in Breathe.Making 6clairs, flying kites, creating

haiku about trees, or making up silly rhymes filled with"airy sounding animals"-these are all activities that can

help you spark the imagination of the kids in your care.

PIus, you can tap their curiosity as you sprinkle in a littleinformation about caring for air. Little ones wiII be sure

you are both a genius and a fun babysitter!

Now that !'ve earned this badge, ! can give service by:6ts

* Helping parents bywatchingtheirchildren Ywhilo thev focr rq on other thinoq iwhile they focus on other things

Volunteering at a day-care center or atafter-school programs

Creating fun and age-appropriate gamesand activities for Daisies and Brownies that I

can also use with kids I babysit

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I'rn inspired to:

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