Sexuality education is an ongoing and evolving discussion that changes as your child grows. Even once your child is an adult, they may still have questions about parenting, relationships, childbirth or other topics.

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

• Puberty
• Fantasies about others and sexual intimacy
• Concerned about whether they are normal (e.g., is it normal to masturbate?)
• Begin having “crushes,” romantic feelings, dating, and caring deeply about peer relationships

How to Support your 9 to 12-Year-Old

• Acknowledge and discuss different rates of development.
• Talk about physical changes that happen to all bodies like pubic hair, breast and penis size, menstruation, ejaculation and wet dreams.
• Be open to questions about intercourse, oral sex, and contraception.
• Share your values about sexual behaviours and relationships. Clarifying your values as a family encourages young people to use them in their relationships and decision-making.
• Be interested in your child’s relationships with peers. Social skills develop through experience.
• Help your child practice identifying their feelings, setting boundaries and asking for consent. These skills will help them in their friendships and intimate relationships throughout life.
• Help your child understand that while they are maturing physically, there is a lot of emotional and mental growth to do.
• Canada’s age of consent for intercourse is 16. However, there are specific federal laws that protect 12-15 year olds who are sexually active.

Adolescent Development and Decision Making