Natasha Hale and Patricia Whitfield
Michaela Whelan and Bobbi-Lea Parker
The pupils prepare for their RealCare baby experience.
Jessica Cooper, Tiffany Parker, Elizabeth Fisher and Chelsea Saunders.
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HIGH school pupils in Chester spent a challenging weekend experiencing all the responsibilities of caring for a ‘child’ as part of their studies.
The group of year ten students from Blacon High School, were each handed their very own bundle of joy in the form of a computerised Realcare doll which is programmed with all of the needs of a real baby.
School childcare teacher Jacqueline Ash said the aim was to give pupils an insight in to what is involved in caring for a child. It is hoped the exercise will prevent students entering into early teen motherhood.
“The students are presented with the Realcare babies when they leave school on a Friday for the weekend, and return them on the Monday. During this period, the students have sole responsibility for all of their needs, settling them when they are crying in the early hours, feeding, winding, changing, comforting, sleeping, it really is quite a challenge for the students. Many don’t realise how hard it is and all the responsibilities involved.
“In previous years we have had students saying they are exhausted from the weekend and cannot wait to hand the dolls back.”
The school has been involved in the Realcare babycare programme for the last ten years with a great deal of success.