As part of their development, children will be curious about issues related to the opposite sex and sexuality and will want to talk about these issues. When children come with such questions, explanations should be given to them in a language appropriate to their age, without evading them. Under today's technological conditions, the child will look for answers on the internet that he cannot get from his family and will be able to access information that you may not find appropriate. For this reason, it would be more beneficial to try not to leave their questions unanswered.
Every age has its own characteristics. Children usually start asking questions about sexuality-related issues from the age of 3. In this period, their games begin to be more contact-based in order to understand their body structures and differences. They prefer games such as being a doctor or being a mother or father and try to examine your bodies with this excuse.
They become aware of their gender and define themselves as a girl or a boy. They begin to discriminate in their games, clothes, and hobbies, and begin to draw strict lines such as this girl's toy, this boy's clothing.
They observe the difference between the adult body and ask questions about it.
During this period, they enjoy taking off their clothes and being naked, especially when they are alone in their room. They also begin to understand the feeling of shame during this period. They develop a sense of privacy and try to understand the dos and don'ts in society.
Girls get closer to the father, boys get closer to the mother..
They question how the baby is born, ask questions about reproduction.
They start to know their own body, sexual He discovers the points where he gets pleasure by touching his areas.
During this period, children should not suppress this type of behavior. The child should be allowed to get to know himself and his environment, and should not be stopped with a harsh reaction, especially when he touches himself. This kind of reaction can lead to different problems along with repression in later years.
When answering questions, you should be as descriptive as possible rather than giving evasive answers. Age-appropriate explanations should be provided by giving examples from nature and animals. Their movements to get to know your body should be allowed. Even if you realize that his purpose is not to play games but to touch you, you should not rub it in his face, ignore him and continue the game.
From the age of 5, children further strengthen their thoughts about sexuality and begin to become more curious. The questions will now become clearer and more challenging for you.
Their sense of privacy develops and they may hesitate to dress or take a bath even in your presence.
They start making jokes about sexuality and using such words frequently.
Unlike the 3-5 age period, boys become closer to the father and girls get closer to the mother during this period.
Self-touching increases in this period. You should teach right and wrong touch at this age so that these touches do not physically harm them.
During this period, they especially begin to examine the bodies of their peers. They will start playing doctor games with their peers, which they used to play with you, in their friends' environments. In order to satisfy their curiosity, human anatomy can be explained with age-appropriate books. They will have questions about the differences between male and female bodies, especially boys will question why they do not have breasts, and girls will question why they do not have a penis. These anatomical differences should be explained to children in a reasonable language. It can be explained that the baby develops in a special nest in the mother's womb by the union of the mother's and father's seeds.
Starting to talk about sexuality with your child at an early age will not only help you have a more comfortable pre-adolescence period, but also ensure that they learn what they are curious about from a reliable source.
The child should definitely be told at this age that his sexual areas are private. They should be informed that no one, even their friends or family, should touch these private parts. Especially if they are playing with older friends, they should be allowed to leave the door of their room open and should be checked in between without disturbing them or making them suspicious.
Do not rush to answer the question your child asks. If it is a subject you do not know or want to be sure about, you can tell them that they can research this subject together and read it from a book together.
Starting from the age of 8-9, children enter the pre-adolescence period. During this period, he should be given more serious sexual education.
Girls should be given information about menstrual bleeding, boys should be given explanatory information about erection and dreaming, and the child should be prepared for these situations. Especially for girls, menstrual bleeding can turn into a very traumatic process if they have no knowledge about it. He may feel great shame about this situation or may think that he will die from bleeding.
It should be explained that masturbation is not a crime, but what kind of harm too much will cause.
The physical and emotional changes they will experience during adolescence should be mentioned.
Information should be given about what sexual intercourse means, the sexual life of an adult man and a woman, and your own values should be explained without putting too much pressure.
Information should be given about sexually transmitted diseases and protection methods.
You should not leave any questions unanswered during this period. If he can't get the answers from you, he will get this information through much more unhealthy means.
Read: 0
