Kiski Area students learn baby basics with simulator infants

It’s “Baby on Board” for some Kiski Area High School students.

A semester-long elective course offers students an interactive learning environment teaching baby care basics, childcare development and more.

They experience firsthand the demands of parenthood, thanks to animatronic “babies” dubbed manikins, said Kiski Area child development teacher Jamie McCluske.

Students share five Ready-or-Not-Tot manikins, two boys and three girls, representing two ethnicities, Black and caucasian.

They are programmed to simulate the sounds a real baby could make, such as burping and crying.

And like real babies, they’re unpredictable — crying at random times and requiring their student “parent” to utilize a plastic key system to discern what need the baby has: burp, diaper, food or attention.

When the baby’s needs are met, the student is met with a soothing, cooing sound.

This doll is no toy

Not a toy, the realistic babies operate on random modes programmed by McCluske.

“It’s quirky, different and project-based with real-life teaching skills,” McCluske said.

The class enrolls about 75 students each year, but only a handful of boys sign up for the course.

“Some years I didn’t have any males enroll,” McCluske said. “This year I have about four.”

Kiski Area senior Colin Schaffer of Washington Township said he chose to enroll because McCluske is a great teacher.

“This has been more fun that I expected,” Colin said. “I’ve learned how to swaddle, hold and dress a baby.”

The students take turns taking their baby home for the weekend.

This year’s five babies, named by the students, are Nyla, Daisy, Oakley, Leonardo and Ellie.

McCluske said combined, the value of the interactive babies is around $1,300.

Ninth-grader Paige Liti of Parks Township brought her baby, Ellie, back to school last week after taking her home for the weekend.

Students are expected to have the baby beginning on Fridays at 2:40 p.m. (school dismissal) until Monday morning.

“It’s their responsibility to provide the required care — not anyone else’s,” McCluske said.

Liti said she was sleep deprived after her weekend playing mom, because Ellie woke her up at least three times each night.

“They’re a lot of work,” Liti said. “I took the baby to visit my grandmother and she said back in her day, they used a bag of flour in school to simulate a baby.”

On assignment @ Kiski Area High School as freshman Jamiya Henderson takes care of her school-issued “baby” she named Leonardo Thursday in Child Development class. The animatronic babies are used to educate students about infant care. ⁦@VNDNews⁩ ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/Ak7bL1fJJX

— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) April 28, 2022

Jamiya Henderson of Vandergrift had Leonardo for a weekend.

“I don’t want kids,” Jamiya said. “It was bad. I was getting up, like, six times a night.”

Despite the lack of sleep, Jamiya said she loves the class and recently took Leonardo on a public outing to Dollar General.

During weekends, students are required to take their baby out in public to three locations.

Kiski Area ninth grader Haley Vossburg isn’t enrolled in the child care class, but said she was startled to see someone at school with a baby.

“I heard crying and was like, ‘Who has a baby at school?’” Haley said. “I would take the class. I think the baby face is creepy, but the outfits are cute.”

McCluske said she buys infant clothing from thrift stores.

Students are graded on their baby simulator experience in several ways: condition of the baby, record of care given (a report is electronically generated), creation of a video, writing three journals and writing an essay on their reflections at the end of their experience.

Students create a photo collage from their weekend and interview an actual parent to complete the project.

If a student presses the “panic” button while caring for their infant, the baby deactivates and a letter grade is deducted, McCluske said.

Ninth grader Ava Wilson of Washington Township has three siblings; she cared for simulated baby Oakley.

“I took the class because I want to be a mom when I’m older and want to learn all about it,” Ava said.