for succes with kids

By BRIAN BLACKLEY

Managing Editor

June 21, 2000 10 PM

A Safe Sitter Certification Course is full this summer as local boys and girls learn life-saving and emergency techniques that will help them handle youngsters left in their care.

The two-day course offered through Edge Regional Medical Center’s AIM program is booked with 16 boys and girls who are learning more about being good child-care providers, from etiquette to life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

"The course is designed to raise the confidence levels of the sitters and help them become better at dealing with situations that could arise while babysitting," said Missy Loving, one of the course directors.

Loving, along with Crystal Weed and AIM coordinator Terry Watkins, is helping the 16 youngsters, ages 11-13, learn how to become better and more effective babysitters through the course.

"Response has been tremendous," Loving said. "The class can only hold 16 students and we are full. Because of this, we are planning another offering of the course in July."

Loving said applicants are placed on a waiting list and once new course dates are announced, those who have signed up are taken on a first-com, first-served basis.

"It’s valuable for sitters who take this course," Loving said. "We work on things like etiquette, life-saving techniques should emergencies arise and other things related to helping the participants have more confidence, particularly when they have to deal with crisis situations."

The course includes boys and girls from the area, and those who complete the program are issued certificates.

Future course dates will be announced later.

For more information about the program, call 670-5261.