HOSPITAL OFFERS SUPER SITTER CLASSES

Southeast Missouri Hospital once again will offer its Super Sitter classes for area youths this summer.

The Super Sitter course, designed by Southeast nurses experienced in care of infants and children and emergency care, is a comprehensive medically-oriented training program of basic babysitting skills for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 16.

Classes are scheduled for June 17, June 26, July 9 and July 29. Classes meet from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Southeast Missouri Hospital's Harrison Room.

To enroll, call Southeast's Educational Services Department at 651-5833. The fee of $25 per person covers the cost of educational handouts, lunch, snacks, Super Sitter kit, badge and certificate. Class space is limited to 30 participants each session.

Under supervision of the Southeast Pediatrics Department, participants will learn to:

-- Understand what being a responsible sitter means.

-- Know what parents expect a babysitter to do and what a babysitter should expect from the parents.

-- Understand the needs of young children and how to keep them safely and happily occupied.

-- Perform the basics of child care and first aid with hands-on learning.

-- Follow the proper steps for handling medical emergencies such as choking, poisoning and serious sudden illness.

-- Practice personal and household safety and recognize potentially dangerous situations such as prowlers and weather emergencies.