Chapter One : Planning Prevents Problems

Activity 1: Role Playing

Students will role play an interview between a mother and the babysitter using the Client Contact Sheet. Pick 2 students to play Mrs. Sanchez and Jackie (the babysitter). The mother should be a student that can create answers to the Client Contact Sheet questions. Read the scenario to the class.

Scenario: Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez will be going to dinner and a movie on a Friday night. Jackie has been asked to babysit. This is Jackie’s first time meeting the family. Mr. Sanchez is at work and Mrs. Sanchez is at home to meet and instruct the baby sitter. Mrs. Sanchez is the mother of 2 children, Robby and Carol. Robby is 3 and Carol is 7 years old.

Jackie - Babysitter Role: You are the babysitter about to interview Mrs. Sanchez using your Client Contact Sheet. Review your list and make sure to ask questions that relate to the age of the kids you are babysitting.

Mrs. Sanchez: You are a busy mother of 2 energetic children. You are running late for your dinner reservations. You are trying to get ready to leave as well as instruct the babysitter. Your son, Robby, is allergic to bees and he hates peas and corn! Carol is quite and likes to be read to when going to sleep. She also needs to take her allergy medication with dinner. Make sure you allow the babysitter to ask the questions. Tell her about your kid’s needs when she asks the right questions. Act busy and in a hurry!

Conclusion: After role playing discuss the following questions:

  • What were the good questions Jackie asked?
  • Did she forget to ask any important questions?
  • Did she ask the questions that relate to the ages of Carol and Robby?
  • Was Mrs. Sanchez clear in her instructions?
  • (To be asked only if Mrs. Sanchez was clearly unfocused and busy.) Ask the students what Jackie could have said or done to get Mrs. Sanchez’s complete attention?
  • Ask students to compare what they would do in this situation. Would they do the same? What would they change?

Roles for Activity 1 First Copy (Cut along dotted line and hand out to students)

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Jackie - Babysitter Role: You are the babysitter about to interview Mrs. Sanchez using your Client Contact Sheet. Review your list and make sure to ask questions that relate to the age of the kids you are babysitting.

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Mrs. Sanchez: You are a busy mother of 2 energetic children. You are running late for your dinner reservations. You are trying to get ready to leave as well as instruct the babysitter. Your son, Robby, is allergic to bees and he hates peas and corn! Carol is quiet and likes to be read to when going to sleep. She also needs to take her allergy medication with dinner. Make sure you allow the babysitter to ask the questions. Tell her about your kid’s needs when she asks the right questions. Act busy and in a hurry!

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Roles for Activity 1 Extra Copy (Cut along dotted line and hand out to students)

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Jackie - Babysitter Role: You are the babysitter about to interview Mrs. Sanchez using your Client Contact Sheet. Review your list and make sure to ask questions that relate to the age of the kids you are babysitting.

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Mrs. Sanchez: You are a busy mother of 2 energetic children. You are running late for your dinner reservations. You are trying to get ready to leave as well as instruct the babysitter. Your son, Robby, is allergic to bees and he hates peas and corn! Carol is quiet and likes to be read to when going to sleep. She also needs to take her allergy medication with dinner. Make sure you allow the babysitter to ask the questions. Tell her about your kid’s needs when she asks the right questions. Act busy and in a hurry!