American Red Cross offers babysitter’s training Jan. 19

The American Red Cross of the Southern Tier will host a Babysitter’s Training class for youth ages 11 to 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at the Red Cross office at 620 E. Main St., Endicott.

Babysitting is often a teenager’s first business. Babysitter’s Training from the American Red Cross builds confidence to hold, feed, and care for infants and toddlers, work with children safely, and deal with emergencies. It also teaches lifelong entrepreneurial and career development skills.

The fun, fast-paced class includes hands-on activities, videos, role-plays, take-home training materials, and discussion that will teach the teenager how to:

• Perform basic child-care skills such as diapering and feeding.

• Choose age-appropriate games and toys.

• Handle bedtime and disciplinary issues.

• Identify safety hazards and prevent injuries, and care for common injuries and emergencies.

• Communicate effectively with parents.

• Find and interview for babysitting jobs.

The cost of the class is $85.00, which includes a Babysitter’s Training Certificate from the American Red Cross, handbook and CD ROM. Participants are asked to bring a bag lunch.

Space is limited and advanced registration is required. To register, call 1-800-733-2767, or visit www.redcross.org/take-a-class.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.