Category

Youth Babysitter Tips

Jan 16
0

Best Best Best Toys Ever — Kids 2-8

By | Blog, Child Development, Just for Joy, Parenting Advice, Quality Time, Videos, Youth Babysitter Tips | No Comments

Best Best Best Toys Ever

This company in Switzerland makes the best best best toys ever!

Check out the BILIBO!   Check out the OOGI!   Check out the Plui Rain Cloud!

The BEST toys ever.   Really.

Enjoy watching the Bilibo video  of these little kids having a fun, fun time.    Even better than that, this toy nudges them to creativity, it nudges them to explore, it nudges them to develop their ideas.    That is absolutely priceless as they grow.

Enter… BILIBO!

bilibo

BILIBO – a best best best toys

Here’s the OOGI!    The video that will make you laugh with joy

oogi_family_box

OOGI – a best best best toys

Explore further what this excellent company has continually been developing!    The Bilibo has been such a success that they just keep creating, making and doing.   More toys.   More fun.   Wonderful.

Here’s the PLUI!    Enjoy

Plui_RainCloud_package

PLUI – a best best best toys

I commend all parents – and babysitters – who keep the TV, computer, video games OFF and stay active with the kids – play, run, jump.

Youth babysitters – use the best toy ever!

I have been teaching young people how to be safe Babysitters for over 16 years in my classes in Denver, Colorado.    My class covers preventing injuries, diapering/burping, first aid, the choking skills, full CPR and, so importantly, QUALITY TIME!     Studies have shown that busy parents, perhaps both employed, often enjoy too little one-to-one time with their children.   It’s part of why I’m so passionate about babysitters engaging in quality time while babysitting; little kids flourish with attention.     I urge that these young babysitters read to them, read to them, read to them, as well as play with them, play with them, play with them.   I ask them:  Have you ever taught the little child to “bicycle” with their legs in the air?    Have you taught them to balance something on their head or hand and talk across the room?   Have you taught them to balance on one foot while you both count as high as you can go?

Here’s my video urging Babysitters to read to children – please view!

Best wishes – stay safe!

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Jean Lesmeister, 16 year Babysitting CPR, Adult CPR & First Aid Instructor

American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI)

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EasyCPR-Denver.com

 

Nov 04
0

Toss Your TV – from all Bedrooms, that is…

By | Blog, What my student said..., Youth Babysitter Tips | No Comments

Toss Your TV

During my 15 years of teaching youth Babysitting CPR classes (age 11+), I have always urged my young students to minimize use of the television and computer while they’re babysitting.   I stress the value of reading to the children, asking them questions, making up creative fun.    This is REAL time, quality time, and is wonderful for the children.   It is being studied how little attention little children may actually be receiving due to employed and busy parents, large daycare classrooms, the pace of life, evenings busy with meal preparation, etc. and more.    We have fun in my class brainstorming fun things to do while babysitting.

I urge my students that avoiding TV, movies and video games are very healthy choices for children.   Another healthy choice is to Toss Your TV, which is what I call having no TV, or any electronics, in bedrooms.

no tv

Toss Your TV – It hurts children’s sleep

The Children’s Hospital Colorado was recently referenced in an article called Kids Who Have Electronic Devices In Their Rooms Get Less Sleep.

“Sleep deprivation in kids can lead to weight gain, problems in school and behavioral changes”, says Ann Halbower, the hospital’s director of pediatric sleep research.    Technology is one culprit, Halbower says. The Sleep Foundation study found that 72 percent of children ages 6 to 17 who have an electronic device on in their rooms all night sleep up to one hour less, on average, than those who shut them off.

A shocking statistic from the L.A. Times states:    Nationwide, 70% of kids between the ages of 8 and 18 already have a television in their bedroom.

Vicky Rideout, who has written some of the most detailed studies of children’s media exposure and its effects for the Kaiser Family Foundation, said the latest study should strengthen some well established warnings but may miss some newer dangers as well.

Victims of Advertising

“Research has consistently shown better outcomes for kids who don’t have a TV in their bedroom than for those who do, whether we’re talking about obesity, sleep or academic achievement,” said Rideout, now an independent consultant specializing in health communication, social marketing and youth and media. Rideout urges parents to “take the TV out of the bedroom.” But newer technologies will require a new level of vigilance, she adds. “Keep an eye on your child’s smartphone and computers too, because food companies are now marketing games, websites and mobile apps designed to boost consumption of foods kids should be eating less of, not more of,” Rideout said.

no tv bedroom

You’re Wasting Money on that bedroom TV

Household electronics continue to use energy and electricity even when powered off. It’s called standby-power and it amounts to 5-10% of your total electricity bill.  One less television means one less financial drain on your checkbook.

RULE – The Bedroom Should ONLY be for sleep.

For adults, a TV in the bedroom can be hurting your mental attitude as well as your marital relationship.    There is a very nice list of reasons to NOT have a TV in your bedroom called  18 Good Reasons to Get the TV OUT of Your Bedroom.    I really like this list.   It’s very detailed and elucidates how quality time together can be sabotaged by that remote control, too handy, too available…

Very often, the young students in my Babysitting CPR class like to stay behind class to help me put away the dolls and mannequins we’ve used in class.    It’s always a nice conversation time and I so appreciate their help.   Lots of supplies used in that class!     I glean some interesting information from these casual conversations.    They’ve told me about how many of their friends fall asleep in class because they played video games in their bedrooms until as late as 2 am.    My heart breaks, hearing that.   It’s not only, of course, a set-up for academic failure in school but also so tragic that any young people grow obsessed with these addictive, unhealthy video games.     It’s such a massive waste of their beautiful brains.

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Jean Lesmeister, 15 year CPR & First Aid Instructor

EasyCPR-Denver.com

Connect with me on Facebook!

 

Oct 22
0

Good questions for kids – instead of ‘how was your day’

By | ARE you ready to help?, Blog, Youth Babysitter Tips | No Comments

For 15 years I have been teaching youth Babysitting Safety classes and Adult CPR classes.   I love the idea of everyone getting trained!    You ARE most likely to give care to someone you love.

I particularly like that the youth Babysitting CPR class (yes, includes CPR) is not only making them safer babysitters but also giving them LIFE skills.   They learn to recognize an emergency, feel confident to reach out to Dispatch/911, utilize the choking skill training, and more – and can help their families and friends.

Questions for Kids

A BIG topic in my Babysitting CPR class is to talk about avoiding television and video games.    I urge babysitters to give personal attention to the children for two reasons 1) the children benefit from attention and 2) the children will prefer them over other babysitters – which equates to money.      I tell my students (age 11+) as I start class, “I am thinking you are here today to take a Babysitting CPR class because you a) like children and b) want to make money“.    They squirm and laugh and grimace that I pegged that b) part.   I commend them for getting trained – and they head out of class eager to make money with their “new business”.

I tell them, “Good for you!   You deserve to make money as a Babysitter because you are two things these parents want – a) you are kind and b) you are trained – by taking this class”.

kid talking

“Talking” kids – not TV or video game zombies

I urge babysitters – and parents – to get the little children to TALK.    It can be pretty shocking how little attention time in the day children get from their parents – and babysitters.   Life is going at a crazy pace.    Parents drop kids at school or day care – where they are in GROUPS in these environments which equates to reduced personal time.   At home in the evening, there is also LOTS going on –  parents are preparing dinner, catching up with each other, trying to get the dog some exercise, check mail received,  and more.

Questions for Kids from Parent CO

I really like this article from Parent CO written for parents to ask their child after a school day – but these great questions can be used by youthful babysitters, too.

It’s about get the child talking.     “How was your day” is a question that will likely garner only this response – “Fine”.     A dead end.

Here’s a great one!    “Who made you smile today?”

Or,  “Did anyone push your buttons today?”

Or,  “Which person in your class is your exact opposite?”

Or,  “If aliens came to school and beamed up 3 kids, who do you wish they would take? Why?”

Be creative!    You can think up a whole bunch more “Questions for Kids”!

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Jean Lesmeister, 15 year CPR and First Aid Instructor

EasyCPR-Denver.com

Connect with me on Facebook!

Sep 24
0
TV tip-over

TV tip-over like falling 10 stories?

By | Blog, Prevent injury, Yay - Saved a Life!, Youth Babysitter Tips | No Comments

Injuries and accidents happen so VERY quickly.    Adults know a lot about safety and preventing injuries.   Adults have had decades and decades to accumulate experiences, warnings, education and more.   Even so, ADULTS get hurt all too often!    Just think of little kids – they have little or no idea of what can hurt them.   They could fall from that?   They could get burned on that?   That is very sharp?   That could fall on you?   (Like a TV tip-over!)   They just don’t know.

Thus, an injury or accident can occur.    Teaching First Aid and CPR and youth Babysitting CPR (age 11+) for these 15 years, I certainly am passionate about training for safety.   I am also the recipient of a tsunami of stories, over these years.    Students, young or old, will share in class family experiences, their own accident details, or something that happened to their friend…

Falling-TV-copy

 

TV TIP-OVER

Little kids climbing up on furniture to get to something they want can cause the furniture – and the TV on top of it – to fall over onto them.    Beyond serious injury, the TV tip-over can cause death.

From the website of Safe Kids Worldwide:

Because of its weight, a 36-inch CRT television falling three feet

creates the same momentum as a 1-year-old child falling 10 stories.

Safe Kids reports, regarding TV & furniture tip-overs:    22,200 children (ages 19 and under) are seen in emergency departments for injuries related to  furniture, appliance and TV tip-overs each year, on average.
IKEA Offers a Helping Hand
As a major furniture provider, IKEA includes free kits to attach furniture to a wall to help prevent child injury and death.     They sell massive amounts of chest of drawers, bookshelves, side tables and more.    This is wonderful that IKEA is committed to this safety issue.
IKEA offers an informational brochure called SECURE IT – Preventing Furniture and TV tip-over Accidents.   The brochure explains the need but also shows how to install a safe wall unit.
Prevent a TV tip-over and other furniture.    It’s always “better to be safe than sorry”.
Stay Safe – Get Trained!
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Jean Lesmeister, 15 year CPR & First Aid Training JEANius
Please join me on Facebook !
Sep 05
0
newborns

Did YOU know this about newborns?

By | Blog, Just for Joy, Youth Babysitter Tips | No Comments

Pictures of Newborns

There is a woman photographer, Fermont Fotografie, who takes pictures of newborns to show what they looked like snuggled up in the womb.     That womb is certainly a very tiny “studio” apartment, isn’t it?    Pretty close quarters…   But amazingly safe and warm and always that SWEET sound of mommy’s heartbeat.     Thuh THUMP   Thuh THUMP    You go, Mommy!

birthbaby

Newborns kick!

We know babies “kick” in the womb and the mother feels it…   So, I’m really looking at this  (I forgot to have kids).   Babies in the womb don’t kick with their TOE (which all sports people do) – they kick with their HEEL?     Who knew?   (Well, your OB/GYN did…)    Do you suppose they also punch out with their fist?    Who knows?

Getting here…

I’m so glad for this little kid!    This little newborn already went through the squeezing of the little cranium – OUCH! – and didn’t know why this hurting thing was happening as she/he passed down this SQUEEZED tube into the world.   Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze – and then:  “Oh, NO – what are these terrible things burning my eyes called LIGHTS?     Oh, good, I’m back with Mom, laying on her chest, listening to her heart – but I THINK I’m on the outside…  not on the inside…   What IS outside?    ‘sup with THIS – what is this STUFF on me?    That person just called it a blanket.   DUDE!   What is a BLANKET?   It’s kind of rubbing my skin – I’m just about sure I don’t like it.   I want to be naked.   MOM!   MOM!   MOM!”

So did you know this about newborns?

  • Newborns Have More Bones : When babies are born, they have 300 bones. Adults have 206. Bones fuse together during growth to come up with the new number.
  • Newborns Have No Kneecaps : On birth, babies do not have kneecaps. Rather they have a structure of cartilage that resembles kneecaps. They usually don’t develop them fully until after six months. Most seen on babies who “army crawl” instead of doing it on all fours.
  • Newborns are seriously sleepy: Newborns will only really be alert for around three minutes in every hour during the day, and even less at night.

Stay tuned for more – I’m finding information about infants and toddlers, next!

EasyCPR-Denver.com

Jean Lesmeister, Instructor

 

 

Jul 19
0

THINK – Cause No Further Harm

By | ARE you ready to help?, Blog, Choking help, What my student said..., Yay - Saved a Life!, Youth Babysitter Tips | No Comments

Stories about injuries and emergencies – Cause No Further Harm

One of the really rich things about teaching CPR, youth Babysitting CPR, First Aid, etc. these 15 years are the STORIES! I hear so many, many stories from students; of course, the happy ending stories are best. Students share how a family member got hurt doing this or that – but was OK.   A student shares how the neighbor fell off his roof – but was OK.  Some of the MOST amazing stories of all are when the youth (age 11-15) Babysitting CPR class shares their own youth injuries! They raise their hand and share.   For instance – one student ate $3.50 worth of quarters when a piggy bank broke before his parents found him. Another shared he hid in the clothes dryer and his mom turned it on, returning from a phone call.   Much screaming and shrieking ensued. A girl shared that she put beads into her ear canal wanting to wear “jewelry” like her mommy. And, of course, there’s the old “I put peanuts up my nose”.

Think Before You Act – Cause No Further Harm

But there are also the sad and heart breaking stories: how a neighbor family suffered the tragedy of SIDS with their infant, and how a sibling ended up for life in a wheelchair after a fall from high up.

osha-think-before-you-act-safety-signAccidents can stem from inattention, being careless, and can happen so quickly – but a mistake that always is at the forefront of my mind is when people “charge into action” without the pause to THINK, first, when there’s an accident. My most recent example of this type of NOT thinking first is a story shared by a man about an incident at his home with his two-year old son. Apparently, the child began to choke and so the grandma administered the abdominal thrust (Heimlich maneuver) – but wasn’t trained to do so. The wife thrust her fingers into the child’s mouth to grab the instruction – also not trained – nor do you put fingers in a mouth because it usually shoves the obstruction deeper. It turns out the obstruction came out of the throat, ultimately – so glad. BUT this man shared that out on the porch was sitting the grandfather who is a retired firefighter. You get my drift? Two untrained women start responding to the emergency – when a TRAINED person was THAT CLOSE. A perfect example of NOT thinking, not staying calm to make the best choice.  Ladies, don’t “help” the choking child – GO GET grandpa!

stay calm hands

As usual, I end each post with my message “get trained” – but this time I’ll add “THINK before you act.  Cause No Further Harm”.

Jean Lesmeister
EasyCPR-Denver.com

Jul 11
0

Children’s Hospital – Climbing danger

By | ARE you ready to help?, Blog, EasyCPR Adult class at Home, Youth Babysitter Tips | No Comments

Keep Kids Safe

Having taught CPR, First Aid and Babysitting Safety for 15 years, I have been told sooooo many stories from students of all ages of what they experienced within their families.   It’s amazing – the 6 year old nephew who… the 35 year old uncle who…  the time the baby…  the toddler who climbed up…

I always commend my students, any age,  for getting trained.   Accidents can happen so very quickly, so unexpectedly.   Especially with children it seems you “just looked away” for a moment.

It happened so quickly…  Climbing Danger

One youth student shared that he’d broken a piggy bank as a small boy and then proceeded to eat $3.25 worth of quarters before his father came upon him – off to the doctor!   Another young student shared that she methodically put small beads into her ear canal, thinking it was adding jewelry to herself – jewelry like mommy – off to the doctor!   And let’s not forget how many little kids shove peanuts up their noses…

But there are tragic stories, too.    Too many little climbers pull furniture over onto themselves because they tried to climb up – and they are killed by the crashing furniture.

climbing furnitureclimbing furniture3climbing furniture2

It’s always great to have reminders and tips for staying safe and I’m happy to recommend the website of Children’s Hospital Colorado .   It’s a great hospital – and on their website they link to another great agency, Safe Kids Denver.     Visit their site when you’re sipping a cup of coffee to get a safety reminder – you may be glad you did.   These tips are not just helpful for you, but can be shared with your babysitter or nanny or relatives and friends.

Please get trained

Keep kids SAFE.   And, if you haven’t taken CPR/choking skills class, ever – please get trained.   If it’s been a while since you took a class – please renew.    There are changing protocols as medical directors continue to work towards more of the public being trained and dispensing with complex class curricula.

I teach EasyCPR-Denver.    No more written tests – how intimidating written tests are!   No more stressful observation-testing of the skills – oh, dear.     My class is focused, friendly, with humor.    (Adding chuckles to a class makes retention skyrocket – and that’s the objective!)

 

Jean Lesmeister    Denver, CO

EasyCPR-Denver.com

 

Apr 15
0
boy calls 911

6 yr old boy calls 911 – saves MOM!

By | ARE you ready to help?, Blog, Yay - Saved a Life!, Youth Babysitter Tips | No Comments

Boy calls 911

For the little 6 year old boy in this story, he had been taught the two BIG POINTS:

a) Recognizing an emergency

b) Responding with a 911 call

Those two steps are what it’s all about.    The boy calls 911.

Of course, being able to, next, give care in an emergency is so important, as well!    But that’s for older people.    It’s about getting TRAINED.    You are most likely to give care to someone you love, statistically.   Until he’s older, for care training, this boy was trained to call.

boy calls 911

The stories I’ve been told in 15 years of teaching CPR

I’ve enjoyed teaching Adult CPR & First Aid and Youth Babysitting CPR so very much.    Everyone LOVES their people – and teaching people what to do has so much meaning for me.   It’s amazing, as I teach class, the stories I’ve heard over these many years.   People share family stories of happy endings, not-so-happy endings, brave helpers, amazing coincidences when needed – I love the stories.   I’m also an actor and believe, with all my heart, that story-telling is the best way for all of us to learn.    I share the stories when it’s applicable to a class situation.   It’s a rich flow of humanity, these stories.

And there are stories about really young people!

Call the NICE PEOPLE

Yes, I’m teaching an older age group – Adult CPR or Babysitting CPR (age 11+).    But, if trained, LITTLE kids, amazingly young kids, are saving lives, too!    They’ve been “trained” to utilize 911.   They’ve been reassured that there are kind and helpful people who will answer the phone.   They’ve been trained to reach out for help to these “nice people” (dispatchers).    As you know, THAT’S NOT SMALL!    The little child’s ability to use 911 is a big deal!  They can access the professionals to come and help.   And they can help a family member.   In this story, this little boy calls 911 and SAVES a family member – his MOM.

This story is from ABC News about a 6 year old who had been trained to contact 911.   Now he still has his MOM!

I hope you enjoy this happy, happy story.

A 6 year old hero!

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Jean Lesmeister, 15 year CPR/First Aid Instructor   

American Safety and Health Institute Training Center, Denver, CO

EasyCPR-Denver.com

Mar 31
0
crying baby

Calming crying baby – and tired adult

By | ARE you ready to help?, Blog, Youth Babysitter Tips | No Comments

Crying Baby

When it comes to a crying baby, the  Children’s Hospital Colorado notes on its Calm a Crying Baby website:

“Some healthy, normal babies cry up to 4-5 hours a day. It is normal for a baby to cry and it is normal to feel frustrated when he or she won’t stop.”

So….   Wow….

crying baby

This excellent web site with information and advice about you can do about your crying baby is dedicated to supporting parents and babies and babysitters – and ending Shaken Baby Syndrome.     Some website topics include Calm Yourself, How to Soothe a Baby, VIDEOS from doctors and nurses (great!), and the BIG ONE – Make A Plan!     If you have set, in advance, what you’re going to do when you’re feeling worn out with the crying, the worry, the confusion trying to figure out what might be wrong – that’s your answer.   You have a PLAN.    Will you call this relative, that friend, go with the baby for a ride in the car (they can be soothed and fall asleep with the vehicle motion)?

I urge you to visit the site – there is so much information – and support.

As a parent or babysitter you know what they say is true:   “Crying can be a mystery and it can stop as quickly as it began.“

 

crying baby n mom

Music can be a big help for a crying baby

Children’s Hospital has some lullabies on their site for you to use.  They also share, “There are also infant and toddler stations available through online radio options such as Pandora.“

Who knew?

At all costs, let’s Make a Plan and talk to others about this – Let’s stop forever Shaken Baby Syndrome!

Best wishes – stay safe!

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Jean Lesmeister, 15 year CPR/First Aid Instructor   

American Safety and Health Institute Training Center, Denver, CO

EasyCPR-Denver.com

Feb 24
0

Child climbing injury – pull furniture over

By | ARE you ready to help?, Blog, EasyCPR Adult class at Home, Youth Babysitter Tips | No Comments

Child Climbing Injury

A child climbing injury works out to be this sad report – at least one child dies every two weeks from pulling heavy furniture pieces over onto themselves.    The subsequent impact to their skull and body can be fatal.   Add the element of how long it takes to find that they are lying injured.   That can decrease the potential for survival.

Of course, it is hoped that a child climbing incident will not be fatal – regardless, the falling furniture can certainly cause a child climbing injury!    Guard against this sad reality – children like to climb!   They are curious!

 

falling furniture3

Child Climbing Injury – INFORMATION!

This excellent Home Safety video offered by the San Francisco Globe shows how easily a child climbing injury can happen, using a child mannequin as the subject.    It also offers a very clear guide how to fasten furniture, easily, and avoid this too-common tragedy.    Injury is dreadful – death is tragic.

The footage shows a number of different pieces of furniture and how easily the small weight of a child can still pull it over.    Little kids like to climb!

 falling furniture5

I’m attaching a chart that shows, in the home,

what room is most common, what age is most common – and much more.

This chart is from the Neighborhood Safety Network (NSN)

Statistics

It is recommended that you secure furniture to the wall.   

Even better, IKEA offers free furniture securing hardware.   That’s so excellent!

Learn more about Ikea’s offer from Mommy Nearest!  

Stay safe!

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More about Jean, the CPR Training JEANius

Certified Training Center, American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI)

EasyCPR-Denver.com