Especially after the news of child abuse in recent years, privacy education attracts more attention and importance from parents and experts. Because of these concerns, some parents exaggerate this situation and put excessive pressure on their children, leaving the children in a state of confusion. Of course, we should not remain indifferent to such a situation and we should protect our children with accurate and sufficient information, teach them how to protect themselves, and take precautions.
First of all, if we define privacy education; privacy education is more comprehensive than sexual education. With privacy education, the person learns to understand his emotions and direct them. Privacy education is also education about the order of behavior. Because the person who can manage his emotions will also be able to manage his behavior.
Privacy education is an education that includes teaching the child's private areas rather than his sexuality. Teaching that no one can enter your private area without your permission and that no one can touch your private parts without permission is the development of the sense of self-defense and protection. Privacy education is the most important element in the child's growing up as a healthy, happy and characterful individual.
If we look at how privacy education should be given, as it is a sensitive issue:
In different places Although different ages are mentioned, it covers a process that starts from not changing the child's diaper in public, from the age of 2, even during diaper changing periods, and continues with toilet training.
With toilet training, they should be taught to be alone in the toilet and to keep the door closed.
From the age of 4-5, they should start practicing taking the bathroom alone, It should be taught that only the mother should help when she needs support (if she is a boy, she can also get help from the father).
Again, from the age of 4-5, efforts should be made to keep separate rooms for boys and girls, if any. To gain the habit of putting on and taking off one's own clothes, especially underwear. It should be taught that the doors of the rooms should be closed and permission should be asked when entering.
Special areas should be introduced to the child during the pre-school period. The chest, belly and hips are special areas for each individual. Children should respect their parents' private areas, and parents should respect their children's private areas.
When kissing or touching children, their permission should be obtained. If they do not give permission, they should not think that they are not my child, I will kiss or touch them, and they should be respected when they say no. We should be careful about the words we use when loving our children, avoiding words such as my love, my darling, and addressing them with words such as my dear son/daughter, my baby.
They should not be intimidated by people and institutions that they can turn to in case of danger, such as doctor aunt, police uncle. . They should be informed that they can get help when necessary.
Their ability to say "no" should be encouraged, their choices should be respected and their reactions in defense should be appreciated.
When teaching private parts, care should be taken to use the word "private" instead of intimidating or silencing children by using words such as shameful, forbidden.
Relative, They should be distinguished as acquaintances and friends, and awareness should be given that the boundaries of personal space should be protected, no matter who they are. Because it should not be forgotten that most cases of abuse are committed by people defined as close relatives!
Most importantly, children implement what they see, as parents, we should set an example for them and, first of all, we should protect our own space while respecting their and others' private space...
See you next week in our article on sexuality education in children…
A healthy, happy and characterful future for our children…
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