2) How do you think children should be taught about sexual anatomy? When should this teaching begin?

Sex Education

By age 4, most children develop a healthy sexual curiosity. They usually ask a variety of questions and need honest, brief answers. If the child doesn't ask sexual questions by age 5, bring up the subject of sex yourself (for example, ask your child where he thinks babies come from or leave a children's sex ed book lying around). Otherwise your child may acquire misinformation from schoolmates.
Teach the differences in anatomy and proper names for body parts. This is easy to do whenthe child is taking a bath with siblings or friends.
Teach the child about pregnancy. Ask a pregnant friend if she will let your child feel the movements of her baby.
Explain the birth process. Tell the child that the baby comes out through a special passage called the vagina. Help the child understand the process by seeing the birth of puppies or kittens.
Explain sexual intercourse. Many parents who discuss everything else postpone this topic. Get past this hurdle by reading children's picture books about sex to the child.
A child who learns about these basic topics by age 5 will find it easy to ask you more about sex as he or she grows older.
Let the child see and experience physical affection. Warm hugs and friendly kisses between mom and dad and other family members convey feelings of love and caring. Youngster learns that physical affection can be expressed in many ways.


Normal Sexual Play

In normal sexual development between ages 3 and 5, children commonly undress together and look at each other's genitals. This is their attempt to learn about sexual differences. You can help make this discovery a positive experience for your child.
After the child's friends have gone home, read the child a book about sex education. Help the child talk about how a boy's body is different from a girl's body.
Tell the child that genitals are private and that's why we wear clothes. Clarify basic rules: It's OK to see other people's genitals but not to touch them or stare at them. It's not acceptable to show someone your genitals deliberately.
In the future supervise the child's play more closely. If the child and friends occasionally expose their bodies to each other, ignore it. But if such exposure becomes frequent, tell the children it's not polite and they need to stop. If they continue this behavior despite your talking to them, give them a 5-minute time-out in separate rooms or send them home for the day. Don't give any major punishment or act horrified.
It's up to parents to put the brakes on undressing games. If you don't, they usually escalate into touching and poking. But keep your response low key.

Educationalists have called for a rethink in sex education efforts by shifting away from textbook-based anatomy classes and focusing more on morals and relationships.


www.med.umich.edu
Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.
Published by McKesson Provider Technologies.
Last modified: 2006-03-02
Last reviewed: 2006-03-02
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.[/b][b][quote]

-JOAQUIN, Christen S. BSN III-C

I also believe that educating early regarding this topic. is really important. Still.. given that fact, no action is made. tsk3... we should give more emphasis on this.

I do believe that it is necessary to teach this topic in an early stage to decrease the child's curiosity.. but at the same time see to it that there is a good teaching strategy in order to discuss this topic..