S*ex Ed in Kindergarten

[MommaOfalotta]

Here's the article.

 

 

Not sure if its been posted or not already, and I'm not sure of the source (I know previously there have been issues with links from a far left/right wing politics side) but I saw this on fb. Chicago Public schools mandating shex education in Kindergarten. What do you think?

 

 

IMHO, I think its absolutely ridiculous. Kids are too busy being KIDS at this age.. and I don't see why they would think its necessary at 5 years old. I, personally, believe that it should be the parents place to discuss s- e- x with their children, and NOT the ps.. but I realize that some parents are totally disconnected or absent and their kids need someone to educate them on the issue. But at 5? That is absolutely ridiculous.

 

Comments/Opinions? I'm actually very interested in hearing an opposing POV because right now, I can't for the life of me figure out why they would think its necessary at FIVE!? Try and help me understand....

[umsami]

The article mentioned in the article you linked says "sexual and health education."  If you go to the actual link, it says, "CPS insists the curriculum will use language children understand and focus on topics like bullying, correct names for external body parts and the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching.

“As you identify body parts, you talk about should you be touched here or not.,†said Stephanie Whyte, the CPS Chief Health Officer. “And if someone touches you, and it’s uncomfortable, you should tell a trusted adult.â€"

I have no problem with them teaching appropriate body part names, don't let a stranger touch your swimsuit area, etc.  If you start talking/teaching about these things young, it's not so big of a deal when kids are older.  Most parents wait too long before talking about sex.  I'd rather my kids hear things from me, rather than their friends.  

 

[jelbe5]

I'm not sure what the curriculum will be teaching (I would hope it might cover "stranger danger" and "good touch vs. bad touch"). But I can tell you one thing - as a resident of IL, Chicago Public Schools have bigger things than sex education to worry about!

[SKL]

I had heard this years ago about some jurisdictions.  I think sex ed in my kid sister's KG was when they talked about pollenation of plants by birds and bees.  ;)  No, seriously.  I thought that was rather brilliant.  It plants the seed (no pun intended) without getting into the nitty gritty.

 

I have a thing about body part names, because I've never seen a book or course where the actual correct names for the external parts are taught.  If they can't figure out what a "vagina" is, what else are they screwing up?

 

When I was in college, I learned about Freud's psychosexual stages (has that stuff been debunked yet?) and he said there is a "latency stage" from ages 7 to 11.  Latency seems like a good time to teach about stuff that you don't want kids to focus on excessively.  I know I learned what sex (mechanically) was in 2nd grade when I was 7.  That seems early enough IMO.

 

But yeah, I think that linked site is a bit right-leaning.  ;)

[MommaOfalotta]

The article mentioned in the article you linked says "sexual and health education."  If you go to the actual link, it says, "CPS insists the curriculum will use language children understand and focus on topics like bullying, correct names for external body parts and the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching.

“As you identify body parts, you talk about should you be touched here or not.,†said Stephanie Whyte, the CPS Chief Health Officer. “And if someone touches you, and it’s uncomfortable, you should tell a trusted adult.â€"

I have no problem with them teaching appropriate body part names, don't let a stranger touch your swimsuit area, etc.  If you start talking/teaching about these things young, it's not so big of a deal when kids are older.  Most parents wait too long before talking about sex.  I'd rather my kids hear things from me, rather than their friends.  

 

I must not have seen the other link from my phone. I'm my laptop now and I will be checking it out. I wouldn't have a problem with proper names of the body.. but I see that more as Biology than s*ed ed.. I also wouldn't have a problem with them teaching what is okay and what is not okay as far as appropriate/inappropriate touching.. I just wouldn't think to call that s*ed ed, either.

 

ETA: I see from the other link that parents are encouraged to review the curriculum, and if they are uncomfortable, their child can opt out of the class.

[Χά�ων]

As there are adults who cannot say the proper name for parts of their anatomy I see nothing wrong with it. I think people overreact about too many things.

[bolt.]

Content point 1:

 

I think it's very VERY important that young children know the correct names for their genitals, as well as having a general idea about those of the opposite gender.

 

Content point 2:

 

Young children need to be told about inappropriate touching, and what to do if it happens to them.

 

Content point 3.

 

Young children need to be told that not everyone's family home is identical to a "normal" intact hetero marriage, but that no small child deserves to have their existing real family home considered "abnormal" in their classroom or social relationships.

 

What part of this content is either objectionable or unnessisary?

 

I think it is appropriate at 3! Or younger. Parents can initiate if they want to, but if they don't, someone should.

 

This is sex ed, and its important. It has always involved biology, health and sociology. Like any other subject, it's pretty basic at the K level.

 

I'd also like to see them cover intercourse and conception and birth in K -- but probably from a 'how it works for all mamals' perspective at that age. But, this is a start.

 

(By the way, "stranger danger" is defunct -- these dangers are very much more of a risk with trusted aquaintences, and the highest statistics regard 'non-related adult/teen who shares the home'. Therefore it's important to emphasize that "bad touch" is wrong even if its done by someone you know and like.)

[umsami]

(By the way, "stranger danger" is defunct -- these dangers are very much more of a risk with trusted aquaintences, and the highest statistics regard 'non-related adult/teen who shares the home'. Therefore it's important to emphasize that "bad touch" is wrong even if its done by someone you know and like.)

 

Point taken. :)  I mistyped.  I know very well that some studies say that 93% of people under 18 who were sexually abused knew their abuser.  

[LucyStoner]

My son received far more information on reproduction and biology ("sex ed") at ages 4-5. This did not cost him his childhood or innocence. But it does mean he doesn't believe the nonsense kids tell each other about sex at a very young age and it does mean he has no shame in talking about normal bodily functions and parts. Ideally parents cover this at home. Sadly, that is far from the norm. I do think there is a baseline that kids should know like proper names and body autonomy. That some kids have to get this from school and not from home is sad.

[I.Dup.]

I'd also like to see them cover intercourse and conception and birth in K -- but probably from a 'how it works for all mamals' perspective at that age. But, this is a start.

 

 

Why do you think this is necessary to cover at 4 or 5 years old? I can understand teaching them the names of anatomy (sometimes I regret that, when my boys love to talk about penises and have a giggle and a laugh as they shout the word back and forth...it really is a silly word), but why on earth would they need to know the mechanics of sex at those ages?

[Χά�ων]

Why do you think this is necessary to cover at 4 or 5 years old? I can understand teaching them the names of anatomy (sometimes I regret that, when my boys love to talk about penises and have a giggle and a laugh as they shout the word back and forth...it really is a silly word), but why on earth would they need to know the mechanics of sex at those ages?

Because it's a normal, human function? Explaining the mechanics of intercourse and how it relates to human reproduction to a child of that age does not involve a lesson on how to help their partner achieve orgasm or how to use a condom. It is nothing more than an age appropriate explanation to the common question, "Where do babies come from?"

[I.Dup.]

Because it's a normal, human function? Explaining the mechanics of intercourse and how it relates to human reproduction to a child of that age does not involve a lesson on how to help their partner achieve orgasm or how to use a condom. It is nothing more than an age appropriate explanation to the common question, "Where do babies come from?"

 

But it's a normal, human function that won't concern them for many years. I get teaching not to ever let ANYONE touch them in certain areas, the names of those areas, things like that. But the mechanics of sex are really rather violent from a child's point of view. Mounting, thrusting, someone else's body part going inside of them, those are the kinds of things I am thinking of, and wondering why or if I kindergartener would need to know that. :confused1:

 

My kids have never desired to know the intricacies of how babies get here. A simple explanation was more than enough.

[bolt.]

1. They are happy little learners, and babies are very relevant to that time of life, so it's a good time to teach it, before it becomes a hormonally charged awkward subject.

 

2. Reproduction in general is a core function of the natural world -- kids can't possibly understand life, nature or anything about the animal world without a grasp of reproduction as the way life itself works and populations contine. (Christian kids especially can't understand the incarnation without knowing about conception and why Jesus wasn't "normal".)

 

3. Reproduction is the source if hope among all the doom and gloom of environmentalism / earth science today. It is needed for a balanced understanding once small children begin to encounter the idea (or reality) of death. (If everybody dies eventually, when will everybody be dead? Will the world be empty?)

 

4. Human sexuality is the basis for their home life (their parents are 'mates' in the sexual sense) and the basis for their own imagined trajectory in life -- growing up, becoming the adults in a family like their own. It is important that these dynamics make sense, rather than being mysterious.

 

5. There is nothing sensitive or bothersome about the idea that mature mammals have intercourse, conceive, bear, deliver and nurse young. Farm kids know it from a young age, and there is nothing worth protecting about such simple and natural information. If kids don't know it, they should. There's no harm, and plenty of good.

[LucyStoner]

Idup, I think we have different ideas about an explaination of conception. Saying what goes where and how that potentially causes conception never includes descriptions of "mounting and thrusting" to 4-5 year olds in my house.

[I.Dup.]

Idup, I think we have different ideas about an explaination of conception. Saying what goes where and how that potentially causes conception never includes descriptions of "mounting and thrusting" to 4-5 year olds in my house.

 

Okay. I just don't know what is necessary, and at this point I have figured that very little is necessary (we are careful about peer influences, so that is not a huge concern). My mom DID explain the whole shebang to me, down to the "good feelings" and ejaculation and all of it. I remember being so horrified and feeling so violated. I'm sure that influences my feelings on the matter.

[bolt.]

I say, "The man and the woman hug very close with no clothes on, and together they put his penis inside her vagina. It feels good to both of them. Sex is about love, that's why it is often called making love."

 

I wouldnt be graphic about mounting and thrusting, even with animals, though if needed, i might explain, "Animals aren't like us. They mate because they need to have young (lions/whatever) to keep their group going on into the future. It's not loving, sometimes, the way animals have sex. I'm glad I'm a person, aren't you?"

[bolt.]

I imagine by the time your mom have that explanation, you were old enough for it to be a hormonally charged and awkward subject. At 3-5 years old, it's just interesting biology.

[I.Dup.]

I say, "The man and the woman put his penis inside her vagina. It feels good to both of them."

 

....but wouldn't that make them want to try it? I remember acting things out with my dolls and in play once I found out about the mechanics of how it worked. I don't see how that knowledge served me well or was useful to me in ANY way.

[I.Dup.]

I imagine by the time your mom have that explanation, you were old enough for it to be a hormonally charged and awkward subject. At 3-5 years old, it's just interesting biology.

 

I was around 6. Definitely not hormonal in any way.

[SKL]

Almost afraid to ask this, but - am I the only person who worries about KG-aged kids wanting to experiment with this new information?

[I.Dup.]

Almost afraid to ask this, but - am I the only person who worries about KG-aged kids wanting to experiment with this new information?

 

No. I lived that. It is a concern.

[LucyStoner]

Kids are not idiots. They are learning about sex and relationships from those around them. Even if those around them aren't saying anything.

[bolt.]

Hmmm. My kids were younger than that. I've never tried telling a 6 year old for the first time. And yes, I covered it as a thing only married adults do, that children don't do it because their bodies aren't ready, and because they aren't married and don't want a baby.

[I.Dup.]

Kids are not idiots. They are learning about sex and relationships from those around them. Even if those around them aren't saying anything.

 

:confused1:

 

Huh? How are 4, 5, or 6 year olds learning about sex if people around them aren't saying anything? Mine are only concerned about play, snacks, toys, and fun at those ages. They certainly are not analyzing the intricacies of relationships or concerned about mating behaviors.

[Χά�ων]

I was around 6. Definitely not hormonal in any way.

I say this gently, I wonder if maybe the way your mother explained it was not completely age appropriate for you.

[I.Dup.]

I say this gently, I wonder if maybe the way your mother explained it was not completely age appropriate for you.

 

I certainly agree with you there. The good thing, I guess, is that it has made me VERY careful with how much I expose my children. I am thinking about this again as I hear of more and more families where the kids "stumble into" porn or other such things, and it becomes a fascination/obsession beyond what would be considered healthy. I just don't know what the right balance is. :(

[LucyStoner]

No, I have never worried about my pre-pubescent children experimenting with others. My son glossed right over the sex to the biology/pregnancy information. Because at that age, sexual relationships held and continue to hold little to no interest for him. And I know that kids who don't get information and knowledge are just as likely, perhaps more likely, to get lured into inappropriate touch/games with other little kids.

[Χά�ων]

I certainly agree with you there. The good thing, I guess, is that it has made me VERY careful with how much I expose my children. I am thinking about this again as I hear of more and more families where the kids "stumble into" porn or other such things, and it becomes a fascination/obsession beyond what would be considered healthy. I just don't know what the right balance is. :(

 

 

For how to word explanation of human reproduction if you want help with that I would be willing to help you word it and I think some others would be more than happy to help as well. There is so much stigma to talking about sex in our culture that you are not the only parent wondering how much to say and how to word it for a young child without overwhelming them. :)

[I.Dup.]

For how to word explanation of human reproduction if you want help with that I would be willing to help you word it and I think some others would be more than happy to help as well. There is so much stigma to talking about sex in our culture that you are not the only parent wondering how much to say and how to word it for a young child without overwhelming them. :)

 

Thank you. I would be interested. I'm still trying to figure out how much or even if I should share with my younger kids. Just the other day I gave them another lecture on if they ever see any naked people on TV or on the computer, they should immediately exit out, because nobody good will be showing their naked bodies on TV or on the computer, and stuff like that is very harmful. It's also really easy to come across. I have talked to them about that so much that my daughter (11yo) just rolls her eyes when I mention it. They don't get unrestricted time or unsupervised time on electronics, but I have heard so many stories where kids stumble across these things, and I certainly don't want that to ever be their first exposure :(

[Joanne]

The linked "article" hosts an ad to Liberty University. :glare:  :laugh:

 

The "article" and the *actual content* of the instruction don't match. The headline and "article" are meant to be provocative and agendized and were shared through a filter.

 

Sex and health ed is a topic of concern for children of all ages. What gets shared needs to grow in sophistication and maturity, but it should not be a non topic for years and then introduced as an important topic in the teen years.

 

 

[JuanitaL]

I really wish authors or editors would actually care enough to edit their writing. What kind of a sentence is the following? It makes me roll my eyes and start discounting the content right from the beginning.

 

 

 

They are much, much too young to even be thinking about sex and sexual acts at their age are the worst form of pedophilia, but Chicago public schools think little boys and girls in kindergarten are ready for sex ed classes.

 

[Laura Corin]

But the mechanics of sex are really rather violent from a child's point of view. Mounting, thrusting, someone else's body part going inside of them, those are the kinds of things I am thinking of, and wondering why or if I kindergartener would need to know that. :confused1:

 

My kids have never desired to know the intricacies of how babies get here. A simple explanation was more than enough.

 

But, why would you express it like that?  In our house, the conversation in the early years went something like:

 

Where do babies come from?

They grow in the mummy's tummy and then come out through her vagina.

How do they get into her tummy?

The daddy puts a sperm, which is a little like a seed, in her tummy and it joins up with an egg to make a baby.

How does the sperm get into the tummy?

The daddy puts his willy into the mummy's vagina and the sperm swims up into her womb to meet the egg.

Oh, okay then (puzzled expression)

Does that sound a bit weird?

A bit.

It's okay - it's something that mummies and daddies like to do.

 

Nothing violent about that.

 

L

[MommaOfalotta]

The only reason I didn't type SEX is because I have seen that no one else on the forums do. I never worried about the why or why not, I just did it. It doesn't scare me or make me uncomfortable to type it :)

 

I seem to disagree with some PP's on the topic of actual intercourse and reproduction being covered at the ages of 4, 5, or 6. I just think these kids have absolutely no need to know any of this. If they have questions concerning where babies come from etc, I would do my best to answer them truthfully and in a way that *I* feel is appropriate for my dc. But that is if they are coming to me with these questions. I'm not going to pull my dd aside when shes only interested in coloring books and barbies and tell her how it all works just because I feel like she can handle it. I just don't see the point in getting into the mechanics. I'm totally okay with agreeing to disagree here.

 

But, this is yet another reason I can be thankful we homeschool. I don't have to worry about a ps deciding how/when to approach the topic with my dc. It will no doubt be a part of her education and as a home educator, I get to make the choice. As for other families, to each their own. Parents know their kids better than any school official, etc and they know how to best go about answering the questions they have. I trust that every parent here would make the decision based on what they felt is best for their dc, and that is why I can agree to disagree.

 

:)

 

 

[umsami]

This article might offer some tips.  They advocate talking to your kids about the mechanics around the age of 8.  http://www.valuesparenting.com/talktokids.php

 

While the authors recommend (or used to recommend) the book "Where Did I Come From?"  ....my son really liked this book better, "It's So Amazing."

 

 

[bolt.]

I like the book "Before You Were Born" as a starting point.

[Sk8ermaiden]

My mom is a guidance counselor in an elementary school. This school is in the suburbs, but has a pretty high "at risk" population. Her district does not have any kind of policy on this kind of thing for younger grades (they really just don't do it), but every year since she has been there, she has had to put together a presentation and go to the pre-K and K rooms. This presentation, EVERY year, has been the direct result of pre-k or k shenanigans in the bathrooms. Really disturbing things you would never think. I really feel for the kids in this situation, because you know they are learning it somewhere. The rest of the kids need the information that is being provided about never letting anyone touch you or make you touch them. 

 

I would bet a million internet dollars that the Chicago schools are making their decision based on similar incidents. 

[HRAAB]

But, why would you express it like that?  In our house, the conversation in the early years went something like:

 

Where do babies come from?

They grow in the mummy's tummy and then come out through her vagina.

How do they get into her tummy?

The daddy puts a sperm, which is a little like a seed, in her tummy and it joins up with an egg to make a baby.

How does the sperm get into the tummy?

The daddy puts his willy into the mummy's vagina and the sperm swims up into her womb to meet the egg.

Oh, okay then (puzzled expression)

Does that sound a bit weird?

A bit.

It's okay - it's something that mummies and daddies like to do.

 

Nothing violent about that.

 

L

 

This is exactly the way it happened in our house, with a few different words.  My older girls were about 5 and 7, and I was pregnant with no. 3 so it was an opportune time to have the conversation.  They weren't horrified, scared and traumatized.  They made it plain that they thought it was yucky, but they also thought boys were yucky at that age.  It was a brief conversation, accurate and age appropriate, imo.  I never would have talked to them about thrusting etc. at that age.

 

Back when my now 24 yr old dd was kdg., the whole community was in an uproar about the new health curriculum that included AIDS awareness.  There were horror stories floating around that they were going to be showing our 5 yr olds how to use condoms with a banana as a prop.  No, that's not what they were doing.  At age 5, it was more about washing hands, hygiene, appropriate touching and such.  The curriculum developed through the years, but there was nothing inappropriate for the young children.  People got all worked up over nothing.  Again, just my opinion

[I.Dup.]

I think that is a good way to make sure they grow up disgusted by naked bodies.  When they do have sex someday they will think it's bad, dirty, and that they are bad and rotten people.

 

Gah, there is no winning, I swear.

 

Grow up disgusted and feel bad and rotten because their mother told them that no good people show their naked bodies on TV or the internet? Really? What should I say to warn them about porn then, for when they stumble across it? Hey kids, enjoy!!

[HRAAB]

I think sometimes there's a very thin line between teaching your children about the dangers of porn and exploitation of innocent people, and loading them with a lot of guilt and shame about their own bodies and sexuality.  It's easy to go so far in one direction with the intentions of protecting your children, that you actually end up causing more issues in the long run.  I've seen this happen with some close friends.  Finding the right balance and right words is always the hardest thing about parenting, I think.

[Joanne]

I think sometimes there's a very thin line between teaching your children about the dangers of porn and exploitation of innocent people, and loading them with a lot of guilt and shame about their own bodies and sexuality. It's easy to go so far in one direction with the intentions of protecting your children, that you actually end up causing more issues in the long run. I've seen this happen with some close friends. Finding the right balance and right words is always the hardest thing about parenting, I think.

There have been things in parenting that have been a challenge. Talking about sex, romance and relationships vs. Porn has never been a problem or "thin line" for me.

[Joanne]

Gah, there is no winning, I swear.

 

Grow up disgusted and feel bad and rotten because their mother told them that no good people show their naked bodies on TV or the internet? Really? What should I say to warn them about porn then, for when they stumble across it? Hey kids, enjoy!!

False dichotomy. I tell my kids about porn And romantic, consentual, non exploitive sex.

[unfrumpable.]

Gah, there is no winning, I swear.

 

Grow up disgusted and feel bad and rotten because their mother told them that no good people show their naked bodies on TV or the internet? Really? What should I say to warn them about porn then, for when they stumble across it? Hey kids, enjoy!!

 

And really, people who choose to be in porn movies, or even those who choose to show their bodies in regular movies or TV shows are not bad people because of their career choice.

 

I can think of quite a few people off the top of my head who have done sh***y things w/o ever flaunting their naked bodies around, but I'm having a hard time thinking of someone who has flaunted their body having done something horrible.

 

There are ways to talk to your kids about porn without being so overly judgmental about those who choose to perform (haha) in those movies.

[SKL]

My whole generation was taught to be horrified at the thought of exposing the naked body to anyone outside our immediate family or doctors, as were many generations before that.  The human race would have gone extinct long ago if that was going to make people too disgusted to participate in sex in a romantic context.

 

I think that as soon as the mechanics of sex are broached (which in my world is around age 6 to 8), the discussion always includes comments about how things are different between married people vs. outside of marriage.  There are all kinds of ways to put this depending on your religion / philosophy etc.  My mom used to say that once you're married, you become "one" and there is nothing to hide within that relationship.

 

My kids have learned a lot through asking questions.  For example, they know that there is a separate opening where babies come out, between the rectum and the urethra.  They don't know something has to go in there to make the baby happen.  They don't have a dad, so explaining the concept of birth fathers is going to be weird and also open a whole new can of worms.  ;)  No seriously, a big can of worms.  That could be why I'm waiting until they get a little more mature before I drop it on them.  But really, there is no hurry IMO.  The only reason to tell earlier would be if they are asking about it.

[momacacia]

I hope to teach my kids to think Biblically and independently---about everything if possible. (Perfection, I know ;-)

 

I'm always amazed to hear of the hang-ups that people have who came from a background like mine and think, "Sheesh people, at some point stop and do a little thinking for yourselves. Your parents and church teachers probably had some great ideas, but you didn't have to drink *every* drop of Kool Aid that came your way." I'm sure I'll screw things up along the way, maybe especially in the area of teaching about sex. I hope I don't mess up teaching them to think for themselves. That can cover a lot of bases.

 

(8yo asked me the other night to tell her "everything I know about private parts" while we were having another reminder session about safe touching. I refrained from telling her that with only 15 minutes to bedtime, Mommy couldn't possibly fit in all she knows about private parts. :lol:  And yes, I refer to them in their entirely as "private parts" to reiterate the safe touching point that they are private, not to be shared until they're married, and in private please! :laugh: )

[SKL]

And yes, I refer to them in their entirely as "private parts" to reiterate the safe touching point that they are private, not to be shared until they're married, and in private please! :laugh: )

 

I refer to them as privates as well.  There is no need for little children to run about spouting "vagina, labia, penis!!" while we are out shopping.  ;)  It gets the main point across.  ;)  They will learn the details soon enough.

 

[Χά�ων]

I think that as soon as the mechanics of sex are broached (which in my world is around age 6 to 8), the discussion always includes comments about how things are different between married people vs. outside of marriage.  There are all kinds of ways to put this depending on your religion / philosophy etc.  My mom used to say that once you're married, you become "one" and there is nothing to hide within that relationship.

 

My kids have learned a lot through asking questions.  For example, they know that there is a separate opening where babies come out, between the rectum and the urethra.  They don't know something has to go in there to make the baby happen.  They don't have a dad, so explaining the concept of birth fathers is going to be weird and also open a whole new can of worms.  ;)  No seriously, a big can of worms.  That could be why I'm waiting until they get a little more mature before I drop it on them.  But really, there is no hurry IMO.  The only reason to tell earlier would be if they are asking about it.

 

Hmmm. I am a single mom by choice and have never had an issue explaining this to my DS.

[I.Dup.]

 

(8yo asked me the other night to tell her "everything I know about private parts" while we were having another reminder session about safe touching.

 

Hehehe, what a cute request!

 

 

I refer to them as privates as well.  There is no need for little children to run about spouting "vagina, labia, penis!!" while we are out shopping.  ;)  It gets the main point across.  ;)  They will learn the details soon enough.

 

 

Yeah, I don't quite get the focus on "proper names" at early ages. I'm so glad I haven't taught my boys the word "vagina" yet with how often they throw around "PENIS!!!!!!' lol

[SKL]

Funny story in our family lore.  My mom taught us to say "wiener" for "penis."  One evening my sister, about age 11, was sitting on the porch swing with a girl friend, enjoying an extra hotdog.  Suddenly my mother stormed outside and hollered, "S---!  YOU ATE YOUR BROTHER'S WIENER!"  Her friend made tracks and my sister crawled into a hole for the next month or so.  ;)

[bolt.]

I use "private parts" as a general term, but I also teach real names for use when I need to be specific, when we are in private, ("No, you need to wash between your labia, not just overtop." -- etc.)

[ficbot]

Our school teaches health education at all grades, although some teachers are a little more diligent at scheduling it than others :) There was at least one who had to binge-teach a whole bunch of it at the end of the year because he had neglected it. The Pre-K stuff is basically 'some people are boys and some people are girls and they have some body parts which are the same and other body parts which are different.' Kindergarten, they do teach the proper names :) But that is only part of the health curriculum. There is also healthy eating, healthy exercise, bicycle safety etc. It's not like you're spending the whole school year on the names of the body parts.

 

My experience with this (as a bystander, since I only teach specialty subjects and so don't deal with this area directly) is that we get more complaints from parents of elementary kids about the drugs part of the health curriculum than about the other part :) Our province does have stuff in the Grade 3 curriculum about drug education, and we've had a few parents complain about that. We also had a grade 3 class one year taught by a male teacher where some of the girls got taught the very, very generic puberty stuff and then had more specific questions. He felt like he could not go beyond the prescribed curriculum with girls, but he also felt like if they were asking, they deserved an asnwer. As I recall, our female principal stepped in on that one, got their parents permission and then had a 'special lunch' with the girls involved to see what needed to be done. One one the girls in question lived in a single-dad household and her parent was, I think, grateful for the help.