Students in 1&2 Health and Human Development classes are playing parent with an egg. Students have to care and show attention to their “baby” to make sure they are supported, secure and nurtured, to reflect an understanding of the responsibilities involved in early childhood development.
Over 10 days, students will:
• Care for their egg-baby each school day
• Complete a daily journal entry (photo + short explanation)
• Track a 10-day budget (linked to a character card; $150–$300)
• Take part in one evening “On Call” activity
• Submit a final reflection
This task directly supports Unit 2, Outcome 1 key knowledge and key skills:
• Development in infancy and early childhood
• Healthy and respectful relationships
• Prenatal risk and protective factors
• The intergenerational nature of health and wellbeing
Monday to Friday students take their “baby” home. Ms. D offers a baby-sitting service for $30 a day, so students can check them in with her over the weekend if they want to, and use some of their allocated budget for the service. One of the at home activities is the ‘on call’ activity, which is designed to get them thinking about the responsibilities of a parent, as it can happen at any time of day or night:
“On Call” Activity:
Objective: To give students some idea of the time and frequency involved in caring for an infant.
On one evening of their choice, students are to stop whatever they are doing at the times listed below and carry out the written directions, they need to determine a signal or alarm to represent the “cry” of their baby. In order to receive credit for this part of their Learning Task, they have to have a parent/guardian signature to confirm their efforts.
At 6:12 pm – Crying Baby: STOP, walk around the room with your baby for 8 minutes; (Baby is crying and you must get him/her back to sleep). They may visit with others or watch TV, but may not sit down.
At 7:30 pm – Feeding Time: STOP, sit down and rock the baby for 24 minutes; no use of hands during this time, and they must remain seated.
From 7:54 pm – Infant Playtime: STOP, remain seated or standing (no lying down or leaving the room) for 10 minutes; they must engage/interact with the baby during this time. They can listen to music or watch TV but cannot use the phone, read, or do any other activity that requires the use of their hands.
At 8:45 pm – Infant Playtime: STOP, they can stand, walk, or sit in the same space for 15 minutes; simulating active engagement with the baby. The focus is on interaction without physical feeding or holding – singing, talking, gentle movement, or visual stimulation. They may not use the phone, read, or perform any other hand-based activity.
At 10:00 pm – Night Feeding Time: STOP or GET UP, walk to the kitchen, sit or rock for 20 minutes.
They may not go back to sleep during this time, must remain seated and not use their hands.
