You probably remember having to take care of those “practice” babies when you were in high school, or maybe you don’t. I didn’t take the class, but my sister did and I remember her bringing that thing home for the week. It was awful, and by the end of the week, I was sure that the babies were used not to show how it would be to have a baby, but to encourage high school girls not to get pregnant.

Even though these experiences with the practice baby in high school may not dredge up any fond memories, these infant simulators may be good practice for women who want a little more experience before having children. Several of my friends are only children and have no younger cousins. This means that they often have no experience around babies and toddlers.

Most of the time, they can’t just go borrow their friend’s kids and get a little baby time in before they start a family, so infant simulators may be a viable idea.

Experiential Learning Technology
The babies you remember from high school usually come from experiential learning technology companies that offer tools and courses to practice real life skills. There should be one in your area since most high schools use these services. They usually offer courses for teens, and then other courses for adults. Along with baby essentials, these courses include:

• First Aid
• CPR
• The expenses of raising a baby
• What to do in an emergency
• Child development
• Parenting styles and tips

Why Take a Class
The classes aren’t only designed for teens and expectant parents. They’re also intended for anyone who will be in charge of babies and toddlers and are open to babysitters and daycare owners. The most basic course doesn’t involve parenting tips, but does include abuse prevention, development, and emergency procedures like infant CPR and first aid.

These courses are so much more effective when people actually want to take them. This could explain why the curriculums are often not as effective with teens and much more effective with new parents and childcare providers. The classes are full of good advice for anyone who is regularly around babies and toddlers and they have helped prevent accidents and abuse from happening every year.

If you think you’d like to try one of the classes, look online today or even visit your local high school and ask where they get their infant simulators.


Source: Realityworks. (n.d.). RealCare Baby Infant Simulator. Realityworks. Live It. Learn It.