To form the basis of what each age group is recommend to know I looked at articles which gave a review of an age by age guide to Sex Education based on child sexual development and keeping children healthy and safe.

For Babies, this would be ages 0-24 months, they are taught the names of their body parts. This includes the Penis and Vulva. They are told it is okay to touch their body parts but only in private and never in public as it is inappropriate. Knowing the difference between boys and girls body parts and what each part does too.

“The end goal is for your child to be comfortable with their whole body and to see all parts as being equal (with no shame).”

During Early Childhood, ages 2-5 years old, they learn about correct names for body parts, the similarities between boys and girls, such as nipples/bottoms/noses/hands. They are told its okay to be different and that our bodies can tell us what we are feeling like being tired, hungry or sad.

Privacy is introduced with learning things such as, not showing your private parts in public or when people outside of family are at home. Other people’s privacy must be respected like when going to the toilet you must knock if the door is shut. Conversations about bodies and for at home in private with their parents. They must know touching themselves is okay but that there is a time and place for it.

If they ask where do babies come from, they can be told that a baby grows inside the woman – uterus or baby bag or even tummy. Both a man and a woman are needed to make a baby and  you need a part from a man (cell or sperm) and a part from a woman (cell or egg) to make a baby. To explain how the baby comes out, explain that it comes out of the woman’s stomach or through her vagina. They must know that making babies is for adults and not for kids to do.

Body ownership and touching is introduced by explaining they have the right to say who can touch their body, That it is not okay to hug or touch someone if they don’t want you to (and vice versa), remind them that sometimes there are reasons for an adult to look at or touch their body, like a doctor or nurse.

“Preschoolers are the easiest age to teach. They are like empty sponges, ready to soak up information about anything and everything. If they haven’t had an explanation that makes sense to them, they will use their imagination to make up their own reason.”

Middle Childhood, ages 5-8 years old start to know what words to use for both boys and girls body parts and have some knowledge about internal reproductive organs. They learn that bodies come in all different shapes, sizes and colours. Both boys and girls have body parts that may feel good when touched and they must be able to look after their own body i.e. private parts, hair, teeth, skin, etc.

They are given and introduction to Puberty and told their bodies will change as they get older. Sexual Intercourse is spoken about by explaining a baby is made when sperm leaves the man through his penis and goes into the woman’s vagina. They then find their way to the place where the egg is. The egg and the sperm then join together, and grow into a baby. They should know that adults have sex and that it’s a natural, normal and healthy part of life.

Sexual Behaviour is covered also, including masturbation and that there are different sexual orientations such as heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual.

Late Childhood, ages 9-12 years old, is where all the above topics are spoken about but with more detail. In relation to Puberty they must know what physical, social and emotional changes to expect with puberty, Girls need to know be prepared for their first period, Boys need to know about ejaculation and wet dreams.That fertility happens once girls start having periods and boys start producing semen and that both boys and girls are able to have babies after they have reached puberty.

In relation to Sexual Behaviour, basic information about STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) should be explained as they may hear about them – sometimes you can catch infections when you have sexual intercourse but there are ways to make sex safer. Include basic information about how to avoid pregnancy, when it is ok to become sexually active, and they may develop feeling for their peers once puberty starts.

Knowing what the recommended topics to talk to your child about at each stage of their life can be helpful when they start asking questions or when you feel like they should know more about their body. This guide can also be taken into account when using Let’s Talk to talk to their child about Puberty and Sex. Having an app may take some of the pressure off the parent to get everything perfect. They can chose specific chapters they feel is necessary in the the app that suits the child’s current age.

 

 

 

References

Hakanson, C. (2016). My Kid Needs to Know What? An Age By Age Guide to Sex Education – And What to Do! (by Cath Hakanson) –. [online] Heysigmund.com. Available at: https://www.heysigmund.com/kid-needs-know-age-age-guide-sex-education/ [Accessed 28 Mar. 2019].