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ON WEBSITES

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How to talk to your kids about sex: An age-by-age guide

​Talking to your kid about sex can be daunting. So we asked the experts how and when to cover everything from sex and puberty to gender identity and consent.

By Lindsay Kneteman, Today's Parent e-magazine. Sep 24, 2021.   (CANADA)

"(Nadine Thornhill, a Toronto-based sex educator and mom to an 11-year-old) recommends avoiding connecting sexual biology to gender. Thornhill explains that by watching your language now, you set the groundwork for easier conversations about gender roles and identities later."

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Sex and sexuality

Planned Parenthood website.

"How do I answer my 1st grader’s questions about sex? How do I help my teen wait until they’re older to have sex? Learn how to give your kid helpful, factual, and age appropriate information according to your own values."

"Explore Topic by Age:

​Preschool: What should I teach my preschooler about sex and sexuality?
Elementary School: How do I talk with my elementary school aged child about sex and sexuality? 
Middle School:  What should I teach my preteen middle schooler about sex and sexuality?
High School:  What should I teach my high school-aged teen about sex and sexuality?
Tips for Talking to All Ages:  How do I talk to my child about sexual and reproductive health?"
 

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SEX ED RESCUE: A BETTER WAY TO TALK TO KIDS ABOUT SEX

"I'm Cath, a sex educator living in Australia with my husband and 2 kids. I help parents to talk about sex (with less cringe and more confidence) and empower their child to make smart sexual decisions. To find a better way to talk about sex, you can join my community of parents and visit my shop for helpful resources.

NOTE: Before passing any book to your child or reading the book with your child, you should read it yourself first. I might think it is a great book for a certain age child or that the information is valuable, but you may disagree. You need to choose books that reflect your values and the messages you want your child to receive."

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Best children's books about diversity and inclusion  ​(book list)

​By Cath Hakanson of Sex Ed Rescue.  (AUS)

400+ books for kids of all ages & every topic

"A Guide for Parents:

From how babies are made to puberty to sex, this guide has you covered! There are now over 400 books in this list, and I keep adding more each month (sorry, but they keep on publishing them!)

You’ll find a video review of each book, with many also including a written review. Many parents have asked me for a transcription of the videos, so they are slowly being added.

You will only find books included that are still available at book shops. There are a couple of books included that you can’t buy new (but you can buy secondhand through Ebay or Abebooks ) but they are so good that I had to include them (one is a 3D pop-up book of sex!).

You can find a huge list of every individual sex education books that I have reviewed as well as books sorted into over 30 different sex education topics.

You’ll also find age specific book lists, from babies all the way up to kids aged 14 and older! And if you’ve got a child going through puberty, you’ll also find puberty books sorted into the different ages as well. You’ll also find a list of other helpful sex education resources.

If you’re unsure about the best way to read these types of books with kids, in this article you’ll discover the secret of reading sex education books for kids."

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The best children’s books on being transgender  ​(book list) ​

By Cath Hakanson of Sex Ed Rescue.  (AUS)

"One of the biggest changes in sex education over the last decade has been the introduction of children’s books about being transgender. Today we are a lot more aware (than we used to be) that gender does not always match your genitals.

Sex is biological and is assigned when a child is born ie male, female or indeterminate.

Gender is what we identify as and is not assigned at birth. It is more about what we feel like we are, on the inside.

Sometimes gender and sex don’t match.  So if someone is born with a penis, the sex of that person would be male, but if that person identifies as female, then their gender is transgirl.

So why do kids need to know about this?

1.  The chances of your child coming across gender diversity at school or within the community is very possible.

2.  Children need to be inclusive and not discriminate against people who are different.

3.  Children who easily accept differences in others will be more accepting of their own differences. Which means they will have higher self-esteem and better body image.

    These children’s books on transgender will help you to explain gender diversity to your child. And no, they won’t find it confusing. They will just accept it as another fact of life."

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The best gender positive children’s books  ​(book list) ​

By Cath Hakanson of Sex Ed Rescue.  (AUS)

"If you are wanting to talk to your child about gender, you’ll like some of the gender positive children’s books on this list. They will definitely help you to start having open honest conversations about gender with your child.

    The trend today, in regards to talking to kids about gender, is to not stereotype. By stereotype, I mean that we don’t allow society to dictate how they should express their gender. The days of boys not being allowed to wear pink or play with dolls are slowly changing. Today, we allow boys to wear pink and to play with dolls or trucks or whatever it is that they want to play with. We allow children to express their gender in the way that they want to. And we know that letting a boy wear a pink tutu won’t make him grow up to be gay (this is a common fear that parents have as they see it as a sign that their child will be same-sex attracted)."

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RESOURCES ON MAMA BEARS WEBSITE  (US)

of Moms of LGBTQ+  Children

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Sex ed sites that are inclusive

Serendipitydodah ~ a blog sponsored by the MAMA BEARS ORGANIZATION – for more info visit www.realmamabears.org   (US)

​Click on the LINK to get the most up-to-date list.

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Amaze.Org - AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex ed. Real info in fun, animated videos that give you all the answers you actually want to know about sex, your body and relationships.

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Northwestern University – IMPACT – The LGBT Health and Development Program – Sexual Health Resources

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University of Wisconsin LGBT Resource Center – Relationships and Sex

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Workshops for LGBTQ Teens & Youth – Love Your Body, Healthy Relationships, & Safer Sex

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Scarlateen – sex ed for the real world

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OWL – Our Whole Lives –  from UUA.org – a series of fully inclusive sexuality education programs for six age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9,  grades 10-12, Young Adults and Adults.

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Talking Sex, Puberty & Relationships – a resource for parents – from planned parenthood – a great resource to help parents be their kid’s go-to resource for answers and advice, from pre-K to college.

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Before Play – Beforeplay.org is the hub for Colorado and Michigan efforts to reduce unintended pregnancies, promote good sexual and reproductive health and well-being, and help “normalize” conversations about these topics.

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Teen Source – Great source for teens. This website has it all: tons of info on healthy relationships, gender identity, STDs, birth control, your legal rights, and more.

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Stay Teen – Tips for teens on how to talk to their doctor about sex and their health, The site includes games, quizzes & relationship forums,

 

Sex Etc – Sex ed for teens. Sexetc.org has comprehensive sex ed information including: Stories written by teen staff writers and national contributors.
Opportunities to get involved and make a difference on sexual health issues.
The Sex, Etc. blog which addresses timely and relevant news. Forums where teens can participate in moderated discussions with other teens. “Sex in the States,” which is a state-by-state guide to teens’ rights to sex education, birth control and more.
Videos about sexual health. A Sex Terms glossary of almost 400 terms. Accessibility on mobile and tablet devices.

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Go here for links to other types of resources.

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