Sex education. Notes for Parents
Sex education is a difficult topic for many parents. Often parents are not ready for the natural interest of children in their bodies. Later, when children begin to ask questions about gender differences and childbearing, parents are not always open with them.
Sex education is a difficult topic for many parents. Often parents are not ready for children's natural interest in their bodies. Later, when children begin to ask questions about gender differences and childbearing, parents are not always open with them.
At 2.5 years old, children are aware of the existence of their genitals and, being undressed, can play with them. They show interest in the exposure of other people, are interested in bodily differences between the sexes.
At 3 years old, they ask about the differences between the sexes. There is a desire to look at naked adults and touch them, especially to touch the mother's breasts. They show interest in the kids, begin to ask for a brother or sister. They ask where children come from, where they themselves were before, but they still do not always understand the stories about the development of a child in the womb. They talk about the desire to marry the mother or marry the father.
At 4 years old, with serious unrest, an urge to urinate may appear. Children may show a craving to show their genitals and the way they urinate to other children.
At 5 years of age, a pronounced interest in the anatomical differences of the sexes in many children disappears. There are questions about the childhood of parents. They want to have a brother or sister, and when they grow up, their children.
At 6 years old, boys can ask about their testicles. Both boys and girls ask: how to have children, doesn't it hurt? There may be interest in the father's role in having children.
- Parents Should Remember the Following
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Do not punish children for touching their genitals.
Between the ages of 0 and 4, children explore their bodies. It's okay for them to touch their genitals. There is no need to punish and shame children for their normal behaviour.
Always name body parts in the correct terms.
From birth, parents should name the body parts, including the genitals, according to their terminology. Just as parents label and name eyes, ears, nose, penis, vagina, and breasts should also be labelled and named.
Respect the privacy of children and teach them to respect the privacy of others.
If a child wants to wash himself (upon reaching an age that allows it to be done safely for his life), go to the toilet, and get dressed, then the parent must respect this need and give it the opportunity to realize it. The child's right to privacy must be respected. At the same time, parents should teach children to respect the privacy of adults (private time, private space, etc.).
Explain what intimate parts of the body are and the right to inviolability.
From 3 to 6 years old, parents should teach the child that strangers should not touch the intimate parts of the body (except in cases of necessary medical intervention). This is the right moment to explain to the child that he must tell you if any of the strangers will try to touch their intimate places.
Сhildbearing.
Parents should be ready to answer the questions: "How children grow inside the mother," how children are born, "how the process of fertilization takes place." When explaining the fertilisation process, one should avoid referring to sperm as a seed and eggs as eggs. Such an explanation will mislead the child. In addition, parents should explain how the whole process takes place using the correct terminology. Children should know that the baby grows in the womb and not in the belly and that this process takes 9 months.
Alexander is a qualified Psychologist, based in Budapest, Hungary.
With a commitment to mental health, Mr Yanykin provides services in English and Russian, including Drama Therapy, Psychology (Counselling) and Sexual Health.
Mr Yanykin has expertise in Abuse (Sexual), Domestic Violence, Gay, Lesbian and Same Sex Counselling, Parenting Issues, Relationships and Marriage Problems and Sexuality.
Click here to schedule a session with Mr Yanykin.
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