Students Get a Real Taste of Parenthood in Mrs. Richards’ “Raising Healthy Children” Class
Mrs. Richards’ Raising Healthy Children class has taken a hands-on approach to understanding parenthood with the help of infant simulators, giving students a crash course in the challenges of caring for a baby. Each student gets to bring home an infant simulator for two nights and three days, experiencing the joys—and the realities—of parenting.
While many students start the assignment excited, most are more than ready to hand the baby back after their three days are up.
“They realize how hard it is to work around sports, jobs, and life when they have to care for a baby,” Mrs. Richards shared. “One student had his first night with the baby, and it woke him up at 4 a.m. to feed. He came to school tired and already appreciating the effort real parents put in.”
Students shared their thoughts on the experience:
- London: “The first night with the baby was tough—it was fussy and kept me up all night. It was overall a good experience, though, and it broadened my perspective on parenthood.”
- Bailey: “It was exhausting—not what I expected. Having to take it everywhere with me really opened my eyes to how challenging it is to care for a baby, even just for a couple of days.”
This week, students will deepen their understanding of parenting and child development with a visit to the maternity ward at the local hospital. They will also welcome a guest speaker from the Northwest Health Unit to discuss topics related to raising healthy children.
Through these experiences, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the time, energy, and knowledge required for parenthood, offering valuable insights that they can carry with them into adulthood.