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For a child, the arrival of a new baby brother or sister can be quite
stressful – they may feel jealous or afraid. This is why Good Samaritan Hospital
and Riverfront Centre, a division of Samaritan Center, have joined forces to
offer a free new sibling class for children expecting a new brother or sister.
The one-time class is designed to foster the responsibility and enjoyment of
being a big brother or big sister, and is intended for children ages 3 to 8. It
is recommended to attend the class when the mother is in her second or third
trimester of pregnancy.
Andrea Evans, Psychiatric Social Worker with Riverfront Centre, will be
teaching the class to help prepare the children and the parents for the
transition ahead. Through activities in the class the
children are going to learn how they can be involved in the care of their new
sibling, so they don’t feel left out when there’s a new person in the
picture. The children and parents will watch a video, which will help the
children gain skills and understanding needed to make positive contributions as
big brothers and sisters. The children will also get some practice diapering,
swaddling and role-playing safe and fun ways to be included in taking care of
the baby with a baby doll or stuffed animal.
Not only will the children be
learning about babies and how to properly care for them and play with them, the
children will get to do some fun activities as well. The children will participate in story-time and snack-time, and then they will get to
make a special gift for their new baby brother or sister during our
craft-time. At the end of class the children and parents will get to take a quick
trip to the Women, Infant and Children’s floor to take a peek in the nursery
window, in hopes to see a real-life newborn. Each child will go home with a
certificate of completion and a gift.
The New Kid on the Block Class is offered on the third Wednesday of February, May, August and November. Classes are from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Eva Hill Auditorium at Good Samaritan Hospital's Health Pavilion. Children should bring a baby doll or stuffed animal to class, and parents, grandparents or guardians must be present throughout the class. If you would like to register for a class, please call (812) 885-3336.
The New Kid on the Block brochure
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