I’m not sure why it came as such a shock. I don’t know when kids start learning about this stuff. It’s all new to me. But so is the fact that 1st graders are teaching my son to hold up his middle finger at people, or that two kids in his class have cell phones!! I just feel like kids are growing up way too fast these days (compared to when I was a kid) and the sex ed form just sent me into a panic.
So of course, I sent my son’s teacher an email. At 8pm. Because why wait until the morning? I wasn’t expecting a response that night, but she did get back to me right away.
In case you are wondering, I was told that kindergartner sex ed is extremely basic. It mostly consists of teaching kids about stranger danger, and reminding them that their bodies are private. As the kids get older, they expand the topics. (the basics about HIV & AIDS starts in 2nd grade, and how it is transmitted in 5th grade) I mean, I didn’t think they would whip out the ‘condom cucumber’ to a bunch of 5 & 6 year old kids, but I had to ask.
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| He’s just a BABY!! |
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I'm with you! Stranger danger is a good discussion to have, but maybe they should consider rewording the class. I imagine a lot of parents would be up in arms about kindergarten sex ed (at least I hope they would). Honestly, while I understand the need for schools to do this sort of thing, it's pretty sad that they've had to take over the responsibility of teaching kids things that should be taught AT HOME. Just my two cents.
That is a good idea, to re-word how the form is, or at least break down what each grade is taught. And I LOVE your first name!! 😉 Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Are you kidding me? I'm all about teaching them it's ok tell, and keep parents away…but this seems to early. I mean…I tell my 5 year old babies come out of a mom's belly button. I'm not ready for this….you are scaring me away from Kindergarten next year!
I know!! It gave me a panic attack! ugh, parenting is so crazy sometimes.
I agree maybe the wording should be changed..stranger danger and inappropriate touching are fine,but is that really "sex ed"? My 7th grader has it now, think that is appropriate for all out sex education. Oh,and don't get me started on age appropriate cell phones…! (That would make a good post!)
Yes, there was NO explanation, just the sex ed form sent home to sign and return! I was like "Ummm… sex ed?? This is a mistake…" They should include a form about what topics they cover with each grade, because I am totally okay with reinforcing stranger danger, etc. (and the whole cell phone thing is CRAZY!)
Sex ed in school for me was 7th grade however my brother and sister were 6 & 7 years older than me so I was always ahead of the game!
Yes! Middle school! it was the big exciting sex ed talk… I remember! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!
Yes it will be a review for him so I think it is good, but I still don't know how I feel about them starting all this so young! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! have a great day! 🙂
I got the same letter for my 2nd and 4th grader but since this wasn't the first year I've received the letter is wasn't a shock to me. I agree it should be reworded to not panic parents. LOL I have always been upfront with my kids about their bodies, the appropriate names for body parts, etc. so it will probably be a review to them but it will reinforce what they've already learned.
I didn't have sex ed until 8th grade, which I personally think is too late. I knew kids in 5th and 6th grade that were having sex, and I'm sure they start even younger now. I think it's best to know the risks and dangers sooner rather later. (We never had a cucumber by the way, haha!)
As I said on Twitter though, a friend of mine had sex ed starting in Kindergarten. She had a book that showed drawings of a boy and girl that were like "This is a a boy, he has a penis. This is a girl, she has a vagina." I didn't know what a penis was until much later than that ha!
She went to a private school, I went to a public one… not sure if that's the difference!
My son's school is public, and I guess I just never thought it would start this early. And thank you for giving me an anxiety attack about 5th & 6th graders having SEX! 😉
I know it seems like a shocker and when I gt there I'll probably have my reservations too, but reality is that kids need to know the "basics," I think it really is the best way to prevent "tragic" situations and you work in news and we all watch and hear about news and there are some CRAZY @ss stories, so the best way to protect the children is to make sure they know what's what!!!
I know you are right, but its so hard for me to see him as anything but a little baby! 🙁 I am having issues with this whole 'kids grow up' thing.
My sex education started before I could read (and I was reading at 4). There was a book on the bottom shelf called, "Where Did I Come From?" (http://www.rakuten.com/prod/where-did-i-come-from/30183624.html?listingId=331608714&scid=pla_google_SynergyDataInc&adid=17260&gclid=CjgKEAjw7ZybBRDt-8eg38Gw234SJADJ1d153o854n4996peOnjT9R91B8Zr3EYe4oM73wwrTroVs_D_BwE). It was always available for us to look at and it had some basic information about how human babies are made and what naked bodies look like. I mean, I'm sure it had more, but that's what I remember. So basically, since about the time I could speak, I could also talk about where babies come from and read about it and just know about it.
And why? Because it's SCIENCE. It's not sex, it's biology. Remove the idea that your kids are learning about SEX and thinking about it like it's SCIENCE and it's no longer taboo.
Furthermore, your children should have an understanding of their bodies and what human bodies can do. Children should know what a pregnancy is and be able to talk about the baby that's growing inside of a woman (that they can see) with as scientific terms as possible. They should know the names for their body parts and understand how they work. And they certainly should know that they have autonomy over their bodies and that they have a right to deny anyone (of any age) from any sort of physical contact (including hugs and tickling) if they want.
Stranger Danger is an incredibly stupid name for a much larger conversation that should happen regularly (and I mean at least monthly) and often in your home and anyone's home and anywhere. Children should feel extremely comfortable talking about these things because doing anything other than creating an environment where children can talk about these topics comfortably has the potential to create any number of dangerous situations from child molestation to teen pregnancy and all sorts of things in between.
So yeah, I'm telling you to get over it and be glad that your school forced you to start thinking about this. And now do what you should've been doing all along, and take the conversation into your own hands.
I totally agree with you and thank you for taking the time to comment! Of course I have been teaching these things to my child for a long time, I was just surprised to see the school step in on this issue at such a young age. But extra reinforcement is never a bad thing! Have a wonderful day!
I think parents should all get a crash course in sex ed too! I will have NO idea how to answer some of the questions that my kids are going to come home with! ha ha
Whoa……that would freak me out. IF they didn't call it sex ed it wouldn't seem so bad.
Kids really do seem to be growing up so quickly these days! It’s reassuring to know that kindergarten sex ed focuses on basic safety like stranger danger and body privacy, but I completely get your reaction. Staying informed about what’s being taught each year is such a smart approach. Also, it’s funny how these things can catch us off guard as parents, but it’s all part of adapting to the times. By the way, while browsing health topics recently, I came across discussions on non-prescription erection pills – definitely a far cry from kindergarten-level topics, but just shows how conversations evolve as we grow!