A parent’s role in their child’s sexual development starts the day they are born. Sexuality education is an ongoing and evolving discussion that changes as your child grows.

For more information about why talking with your child about sexuality is important, read Talking to Your Children About Sex.

Guidelines of Positive Sexual Development

• Understands that talking about sexuality can be difficult, uncomfortable and sometimes seen as inappropriate from society at large
• Seeks information about sex and sexuality
• Understands gender role stereotypes
• May experience beginning signs of puberty

How to Support your 6 to 8-Year-Old

• Continue or start ongoing conversations about sex and sexuality.
• Some kids are asking basic questions that need simple answers. Some kids are asking complex questions that require more complete answers.
• Questions are often built on one another. Children may need time to process and generate a new question.
• Check-in with your child after answering a question – Did that answer your question? Do you have other questions?
• Start talking about the changes that will take place in early puberty.
• Explain the meaning of any sexual slang your child brings home.
• Explain that there are different types of families, and all have equal value and deserve respect.
• Continue to teach your child their right to say “no” to any unwanted touch.
• Talk about masturbation as a normal part of growing up, that they can touch their bodies in a safe way and where private places are to masturbate.
• Inappropriate public displays of sexual behaviour may be a sign of exposure to explicit sexual materials or sexual abuse.