Since the 1990’s, high school students across the country have had the opportunity to experience parenthood- at least for a weekend.

“The babies will record feeding, rocking, and diapering. Even when you hold them, they regulate the baby’s temperature as well,” Child Development teacher, Andrea Burton said.

These babies are actually robotic infant simulators designed to mimic the needs of a real newborn. In the upcoming weeks, around 30 Burke students enrolled in Child

Development will take on this challenge firsthand using RealCare baby simulators.

“I’m taking one home because even if I don’t have kids, if something does happen in the future I want to be prepared and know the experience. Also, because I can see the outcome of how I do with the baby,” Monica Martinez (11) said.

There is an alternate assignment for students who would rather write an essay than take home a simulator. Classes are typically split half and half with the number of students who take home a baby or do the assignment according to Burton.

“I don’t have any interest in the experience of taking care of a baby because I don’t think I’m going to have any. It just sounds like extra stress to me,” Anthony Toledo (11) said.

Some of the baby’s main functions are crying, cooing, breathing, burping, and coughing. It also tracks head support and handling, making it hyper realistic. When it comes to the grading scale, points are taken off for missed care (lack of response to cries), shaking the baby, rough handling, lack of time out of car seat and clothes changing.

Overall, research shows that RealCare babies effectively convey to students the demands of being a parent as well as boost their engagement in the classroom. Beyond parenting, the simulators can also teach caregiving for potential careers like nursing and daycare, giving them more value to classes.

“I just take whatever grade the baby is and transpose that into the OPS rubric. All elements of care come into play when the baby gives the instrument the grade,” Burton said.