The article was professionally consulted by Associate Professor, PhD, MD Huynh Thoai Loan - Head of Pediatrics - Neonatology Department - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital. He is one of the leading experts in Pediatrics - Neonatology in Ho Chi Minh City with nearly 30 years of experience in examining and treating pediatric endocrine diseases, pediatric nephrology, and other Pediatrics - Neonatology diseases.
Sex education for preschool and primary school children is extremely necessary and important to help children protect themselves when the problem of pedophilia and sexual abuse in children is increasingly receiving attention.
1. Early sex education for children
Sex education in children is always an aspect that receives attention from society. In addition to the school's responsibility, the family is also a solid foundation for explaining to children about sensitive issues about gender and sexuality from an early age.
When children can walk and talk, they also begin to learn about their bodies. This is the time when parents should educate their children about gender, starting by teaching them the names of their genital organisms (can tell them while bathing). Sharing openly with children about gender, sexuality, and genital organs on the body when they are still children helps them understand that sex and gender are normal in life. However, when educating children about gender, parents need to show appropriate tact and openness, avoiding making their children feel confused and have wrong perceptions about gender.
Parents must be well prepared with the minimum knowledge on this issue to answer all of their children's questions or concerns. If the children point to a sensitive part of the body, parents need to tell their child what organ it is, what its function is, or give an example that is appropriate for the children's age. When children ask questions about sex, parents need to answer clearly and seriously, not show embarrassment or confusion, and not laugh or joke with their children's questions. Educate about sex for children needs to let them know which parts of each person are private and discreet, should not be exposed, and should not be touched by others.
2. How to handle when seeing children masturbating
Many children are just learning to walk but are very curious about their genitals through self-stimulation. Accordingly, boys may have the behavior of pulling and shrinking their penis, while girls rub their genitals with their hands. If these behaviors in children appear, parents should stay calm and teach their children that masturbation is normal but should be done in private.
In case catching children masturbating in public, try to distract them. If cannot do this, take them aside to remind them of the importance of privacy and how their behavior will affect others.
Sometimes, frequent masturbation can cause health problems for children, which is a sign of sexual abuse. Therefore, parents should focus on sex education for children from an early age, at least for primary school and preschool children. In the process of sex education for children, parents need to emphasize to their children that no one is allowed to touch their private body parts except by going to the doctor and having the consent of the parents. If parents are worried about their child's behavior and awareness of sex, take their child to see a doctor to get the right advice.
3. Preschool and primary school children need sex education every day
Sex education for children cannot be completed in a short period. This should happen every day, parents should take advantage of opportunities and real-life situations to discuss sex with their children.
For example, if someone in the family or relatives is pregnant, tell children that the baby is growing in a special place inside the mother's belly, called the uterus. If the children are curious and want to know more details about the formation of the fetus or how the baby is born, provide that information most understandably.
As children grow and begin to ask more detailed questions, parents should respond with more detailed answers. Try to be specific and direct in answering questions, using the correct terminology and names for body parts.
Even if parents feel uncomfortable answering their children's questions and have difficulty in teaching sex education to their children, they should do it out of their love for their children. Parents should note that sex education for children is to help them protect themselves in the coming years, help them handle situations better when they encounter child molestation or abuse, and at the same time build a healthy and positive lifestyle for their children.
4. Sex Education for Children
The following tips will help parents talk to their children about sex more easily:
• Use simple and trustworthy language
If parents have to present a technical issue, parents should explain it at a level that their children can understand. A preschooler will not be able to understand the mechanism of ovulation, but they may be interested in knowing that women also have eggs to give birth.
• It is okay for parents to say do not know
If parents do not know how to answer children, do not "draw" information, but frankly tell children that they do not understand this issue yet and make an appointment for children to answer. Immediately after that, parents should find out the information clearly and answer the children accurately.
• Both mothers and fathers should be involved
When both parents are involved in sex education for children, children will see that everyone can participate in the discussion on this issue equally. This will make children feel more comfortable talking about sensitive issues related to sex as well as know how to communicate more tactfully in intimate relationships when they grow up.
• Parents should arouse curiosity
Some children rarely take the initiative to ask questions. In this case, parents need to take the initiative to arouse their children's curiosity about sex in everyday situations. For example, when watching a TV show about pregnancies, parents can say: "Can you guess what pregnancy is?".
5. Things parents need to note
• Take advantage of appropriate situations to mention about sex, sexuality, or related issues;
• Parents can use examples from siblings and relatives to help their children better understand gender;
• Control what their children watch on the Internet;
• Teach children the rules of using the Internet and parents must know when they are using network;
• Check whether movies and video games are appropriate for their children's age and help them understand what they should be exposed to when watching movies or playing video games.
Sex education for children is not an easy thing and needs to be done throughout their development. Parents play an important role in helping their children approach gender issues from an early age so that they are not confused and proactively protect themselves when they grow up.
When there are signs of gender disorder in children, including their behavior, actions, and thoughts, parents need to spend time caring for, listening to their children, and educating them to gradually change their perceptions. Children should also receive psychological treatment due to a scientific protocol to help shape their thinking.
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Article referenced source: Mayoclinic.org
