In Lifespan Development class, led by Mrs. Litherland, students began testing out their new “Real-Care Babies.” Each student gets a turn to take home a baby, with a diaper bag full of necessities and a car seat.
Mrs. Litherland said, "It's a good experience to see what real life is like and what it's like to put someone ahead of yourself and the inconvenience of it. It's more of a life scenario than any babysitting can do. I'm thankful and glad we got the new babies this year because they show the positive aspect, too, with the giggling and babbling."
The babies come with a wristband to indicate which student is caring for them, ensuring everyone uses their time responsibly. They are programmed to simulate real infant behaviors, including crying, cooing, and laughing. When a baby cries, students have two minutes to determine its needs—whether it needs to be fed, have its diaper changed, rocked, or burped. Each student also uses an app on their phone to track their progress and receive feedback, helping them stay on track with proper infant care.
