Watching last summer's "Big Brother" contestants struggle through a challenge to care for a virtual reality baby inspired us to get a couple for the Diploma in Childcare and Education course,' says Lynn Forrester of Evesham College.
'The contestants found looking after the doll much harder than they expected, and we saw it as a great way for our childcare students to experience the frustrations of caring for a baby too.
'Our simulator dolls, named Dot and Jim, are incredibly life-like - they have floppy heads and are anatomically correct and sensitive to how they're held.
'Students have to learn to handle them properly and give appropriate care. A key on a tamper-resistant band is attached to the carer's arm so only that person can tend the crying baby by placing the key into the doll's back - it can't be offloaded or turned off.
'The dolls cry at random intervals for different lengths depending on whether they need feeding, burping, changing or are tired. Staff can pre-set easy, normal or cranky temperaments in a locked electronics box in the baby's back. This box also monitors the care and gives a read-out of parent simulation time, number of times the head was unsupported, any rough handling or neglect and minutes allowed to cry.
'All our students already have a daytime family placement, but they have no idea how they'll function when they're tired and must tend a demanding baby. We believe the dolls give students a more realistic insight into caring for a child 24 hours a day. It also helps them, both as nannies and nursery workers, to empathise with parents and understand the strain that people are under.
'We're trialling the scheme and while all the students are positive, some staff were initially worried about crying dolls disrupting lessons. There's also a mixed response from students' parents. I tested a doll at home, much to my family's dismay, which made me realise I had to be sympathetic to students and their families. Next term students will be in sole care of a doll for a week, but some may have it turned off at nights. We're gearing up for some exhausted students.' Denni Morrison of Hertford Regional College relates a similar experience. 'Anwar, our virtual reality baby, has childcare students queuing up to babysit for the weekend.
'He's very realistic and most of us talk about him as if he's real. We're so fond of Anwar that he sits in his baby-chair when not in use - we couldn't shut him in a box.
'The students take the project very seriously and keep a diary when they're caring for the baby. Many make very interesting reading - often handwriting becomes more scribbled toward the end of the weekend. Anwar cries at all hours of the day and night and students suddenly realise that once they've got him home he can't be put in a corner and forgotten.
'They learn first-hand that babies need a lot of care although it's increasingly tiring. They also experience the amount of equipment needed, because along with Anwar they take a pram, car seat, changes of clothing and nappies. We discuss safety and preferences for breast or bottle feeding and re-usable or disposable nappies.
'One student wrote in underlined block capitals in her diary that she wouldn't be having children for a long time. Another said it was embarrassing at first to take Anwar out in public and comforting him felt silly. Others take photos and enjoy him making happy cooing noises.
'At the end of the weekend it's obvious that students have learned to handle him properly and support his head, but many return with bags under their eyes! Some of the computer read-out scores are quite amazing. One girl had Anwar for 97 hours and he cried for only 32 minutes and three minutes is the longest he's ever been left unattended while crying - I wish all babies were treated so well. Only one student has returned with her care key removed and that was because she had a driving test. Amazingly, despite the lack of sleep, she passed!' Lynn Forrester, course manager for the diploma in childcare and education at Evesham College, and Denni Morrison, programme manager (CCE) at Hertford Regional College, spoke to Annette Rawstrone
Further information
* Baby simulators cost 353 for a starter package and prices begin at 190 for additional babies. They are available from Virtual Parenting UK, PO Box 4502, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 1WS (01491 573085, http://www.virtualparenting.co.uk
