AUK Sample Training Material  : Child Care  ( Translated From Bahasa Indonesia )

Taking care of children is one of the most demanding jobs there is.

It is not a question of fulfilling set number of duties. You must be constantly on the alert for things that may harm the Child, whether it is a speeding car, a kitchen knife lying on the table or a neighbourhood bully.

You are involved in raising a child and because you will sometimes see more of him than his parents, you become an important influence in his life.

It is your responsibility to insure that he has a healthy and happy childhood.

Doing what is best for a child is what you are concerned with. Sometimes, when you would rather watch television or read a book, it is very tedious to keep an eye on your charge.

But you must. There are terrible cases where maids have left children alone and children have died or become seriously injured.

There was the case of a two-year-old boy who climbed out of a l0th floor window and plunged to his death while his Nanny was out shopping.

Then there was the case of the little boy crushed to death by a gate while he was playing. His Filipino maid was chatting to friends.

Never over-estimate a child's ability to take care of himself. In this city of high-rises, the danger of a child fatally falling is ever-present and tragically illustrated regularly.

Your vigilance cannot end there. Last year, a thirteen-month-old baby nearly strangled himself while playing with a curtain cord.

Electrical outlets that are just big enough to let in a little finger, boiling hot water, unattended irons, frying pans and dangerous medicine or cockroaches bait - all are common enough in every household and combined with a child's natural curiosity, are potentially lethal.

Inform him about such dangers, but don’t just leave it up to his common sense.

Be on the look out for sharp edges. Have someone repair frayed electrical cords. Put all medication and poisonous substances in a place that cannot be easily reached. Be careful of glass that can break easily and cut. When you take him out, be extra careful that you know where he is. There are so many things that can distract you and so much trouble the - child can get into.

Keep an eye on the child at all times. Singapore is a busy place with too many bad drivers. The crowds too, are overwhelming.  Few things can be more frightening to a child than getting lost in a mob of people.

Teach the child what to do in case of emergency. If you should be separated from him, make him memorise his parent’s office numbers or write it down and keep it in his pocket.

Stay away from strange dogs. There are several vicious animals trained to attack on the outlying islands. Keep him away from stray dogs. Apart from the obvious danger of biting and clawing, there is the ever-present fatal danger of rabies.

You cannot possibly know where the child is and what he is doing all the time but take precautions where your common sense dictates. The most obvious way to avoid carelessness is to care just as much for the child as you would your own.

His life, his well-being is the most precious thing to his parents and you cannot afford to think of it in smaller terms or treat it as anything less.

Anyone who has been stuck in a room for hours on end with a trying child, will think this is too much to ask of a stranger.

Occasional boredom is understandable. If you’re bored, make sure you know what the child is doing and that he is in easy reach before picking up magazine.

The best long-term method to prevent accidents is to build up trust between you and the child. Make sure you communicate. If something is wrong, he must be able to tell you.

If you tell him not to do something, he must respect your decision. Think deeply about the child. Do things that you enjoy together and you both will be happy.