Hi everyone, today, we are going to look at the steps of Sex Education for the young.
You are Welcome
We noted yesterday that the essence of this sex education is to help young people gain the information, skills and motivation to protect them from sexual predators. It also helps to form attitudes, beliefs, and values about identity, relationships and intimacy.
It is recommended that the education on sexual health education should start as early as in the prekindergarten age grade. I can hear some of you asking prekindergarten? Yes as early the prekindergarten age grade.
This is because the child predators and paedophiles who sexually abuse children are going for younger and younger children.
They assault children, who are totally unaware of their body and the functions,
They assault children who do not know the difference between RIGHT and WRONG.
They assault children who understand most things as ‘play’
Most of the children just know that something that shouldn’t happen has happened
You and I owe it to these children to empower them with the knowledge needed to wards off these monsters. The following steps may be helpful but are definitely not sacrosanct.
Step 1. The body parts
The first step is to teach children the parts of their body. It is wise to start by telling the children the names of the parts of their bodies; this may be done during bathing, dressing time or when cleaning after using the restroom. It is important to let them know that their bodies are divided into Public and Private parts.
The public parts are the parts that are exposed like the head, hands and the feet. The private part parts are all the parts that are covered by their clothes. In addition, the parts covered by their under wears are extremely private. Teach them that nobody should touch their private parts except when they are bathing or cleaning after using the restroom.
Step 2 Handle the curiosity
Usually by the age of 3 and 4, the children may notice that they have different types of genitals. This is the time to tell them the differences between boys and girls. This is important in children who are of the same gender with all their siblings (all boys or all girls). In addition, at this age, children may start to touch their bodies. This is not the time to shout or yell. This is the time to tell them, that it is their body and that they are the only ones allowed to touch certain parts of their body. NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO TOUCH THOSE PARTS.
Step 3 Lifelong discussion
Please note that Sex education is never a one-time lecture. It is a lifelong discussion. The lectures go on over and over again emphasizing the key principles. Use every opportunity to teach in a simple but emphatic manner.
Step 4 : Answering questions
Children are generally inquisitive and ask many questions. Please do not shut them up. Answer the questions in a simple manner.
One of the commonest questions is ‘Where do babies come from’?
Most of us got the answer; Babies come from Heaven. We were satisfied for while. My friend’s mum told her; from the mouth. Another day, the mum answered from the nose. There and then she knew that her mum was lying.
Can we try this: a baby is made by the union of dad and mum in a special way. The baby grows inside mum’s womb. The baby is delivered after 9 months.
Another one is ‘Why do you have blood from your private’
Try: a woman’s body changes gradually with age and maturity. This is one of the changes. Other changes include the development of breasts. It is wise to answer the specific questions with the correct words and terms.
It is usually terribly uncomfortable but please just go on. It is worth while on the long run.
Step 5 Personal responsibility
Let the child know that his or her body is his/her personal property. The child has a responsibility to take care of his or her body. He or she also has the responsibility to PROTECT his or her body. All children should report anybody who tries to touch them.
I do not know if this piece has been of help to you. You can add to the list based on your own personal experience.
Thanks for reading
