How to Explain Sex to a Child

Explaining sex to a child is one of the things most parents dread. All children are curious and will have many questions, but often parents feel tongue-tied when asked and aren't exactly sure how to answer. Here's how to explain sex to a child.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Answer your child's questions about sex as they arise to help foster healthy feelings and discussions about sex education. Your child's curiosity about sex and his own body is healthy and normal.
2. Don't scold young children for asking questions. When children are very young they have no modesty. The parent's reaction to sexual exploration tells them whether their actions are acceptable. Toddlers shouldn't be scolded or made to feel ashamed of their interest in their bodies.
3. Offer books that explain sex at a developmentally appropriate level for the child. You can begin around age 5. Look at the book with your child and answer questions simply and honestly as they arise.
4. Introduce sex education at home long before it begins in school. Sex education begins in the classroom around fifth or sixth grade and often much sooner on the playground and through the grapevine. Parents need to be open and continue the discussion and answer questions at home when they arise.
5. Repeat explanations patiently and clearly until the child can adequately understand the facts. At any age, it is important that you do not inundate a child with incomprehensible facts regarding sex education.
6. Practice what you will say before you begin the discussion with your child. Children can easily sense a parent's anxiety and embarrassment concerning the subject of sex. To avoid this, role-playing ahead of time with a partner or friend is a good idea.