Middle schoolers learn ways to reduce high infant mortality rates

[Mr_Wizard]

Middle schoolers learn ways to reduce high infant mortality rates

By JEFF KAROUB
Associated Press Writer


PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- Shantaya McDaniel and Victor Reyes learned in school about things that contribute to the high death rate of infants in their city and steps they can take to help keep babies alive.

For the Lincoln Middle School students who just completed a six-week class called Crib Notes, it was more than an academic exercise. Each is applying lessons on healthy and proper eating, sleeping and living: Shantaya is helping her cousin and stepsister with their babies. Victor is using his newfound knowledge to help raise his three-month-old son, Giovanni.

"I was nervous at first, very nervous," said Victor, a 15-year-old eighth grader at the school in Pontiac, about 20 miles north of Detroit. "I thought it was going to be a little bit complicated until they showed us a video and brought a demonstration baby in. ... Now that I'm good at it, it's not even a problem."

Victor said the class has taught him that he has to take greater responsibility now that he's a father and will get a job this summer to help support his son. Shantaya, 14, has learned ways to help raise others' babies - and realizes she's not ready to take on that kind of responsibility herself.

"It made me think a lot about some of the choices my friends are making, and a lot of teen mothers I knew," she said. "It taught me really to look back and tell myself I'm glad ... I'm not a mother."

WTF. It taught him responsibility so he is going to get a summer job. Just another future recipent of my tax dollars for welfare.

At least the girl has some common sense.

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