Students learn to parent

Ken Johnston

Last Friday the grade 11/12 parenting class at Rainy River High School put what they have learned to the test.
The RRHS students paired up with Kindergarten students from neighbouring Riverview Elementary School. The high schoolers chose a book that was age appropriate from the public library that would emphasize small motor, tactile and sensory experiences for the younger kids. They then read the books to the kids and then did a craft activity relative to the book that implored the kids to use their motor and sensory skills stimulated by the book.
Teacher Jenelle Lowes said, “The students (RRHS) get to see what it is like to be a parent right from conception to toddler and young kids. They learn how to stimulate the kids and how to be equipped with the skills to be a parent.”
The parenting program is a full semester and offers high school students a bit of insight into what their parents have gone and do go through.
Lowes said that the program has been very successful, now in its third year, and has reached out to community agencies for help. “Both Gayleen Jasper from the health unit and Nicole Therien (nurse practioner) have come in and spoken to them about topics related to parenting.” The students learn about the effects of drug use and fetal alcohol syndrome and also have to each take home a mechanical baby that they have to care for.