It is important to tell our children about privacy during the developmental period when the foundations of personality are laid. This period is considered to be between the ages of 0-6. Privacy education is of great importance for the psychological and physical health of children. In this training, which will be given in order to ensure that the child knows and protects his/her private area, respects the private area of others and draws healthy boundaries, children are also taught the ability to stand up against situations they do not want. . It is appropriate to give it by integrating it into their daily lives, without causing fear and anxiety.
First of all, it should be explained which regions are special to the child. These regions can be determined as the chest, between the legs, buttocks and lips. In this training, which will start from the age of 2 and will be given gradually, it should be explained to the child by whom and under what circumstances their private parts can be seen and touched. In order not to create a prejudice against the intimacy of the child in the future private life, discourses such as prohibition, shame and sin should be avoided and private areas should be explained within the framework of "who can touch" instead of "who cannot touch".
In addition to primary caregivers (mother, father, older sister, etc.), it should be explained that people with whom the child spends a lot of time (such as his aunt, grandmother…) can take him to the toilet, and that his doctor can touch him as long as his parents are with him. Regardless of gender, the child should not be left alone, even with the doctor, unless he or she is accompanied by a parent.
Children from a young age should not be dressed in the presence of others and the door must be closed when taken to the toilet.
Parents or relatives should avoid making jokes about private areas while playing with children. The child should never be pressured to allow hugs or kisses to people they do not want. The issue of privacy is an extremely sensitive and confusing subject.
The education to be given to the child on privacy is not limited to private areas. Raising a self-confident and respectful child is aware of his/her private space and the other side� It is about laying the groundwork for him to be an individual who respects his private area. If the child has his own room, it is necessary to explain to him that the door of this room can be kept closed, and knock on the door when entering. After providing a good role model to the child, it should be explained that you or his siblings should also knock on the door in the same way.
The healthy communication you have established with your child is very important. The child should feel that they can easily share this with you in case of possible abuse. It is recommended that you show your children a warm and sincere approach instead of a rigid attitude so that they can talk to you about every situation without embarrassment or fear. should be explained. When children tell about such a situation, they should definitely take it into account and they should never be told that they may have misunderstood the situation and their sharing should not be taken lightly. While this situation makes children feel belittled, it seriously damages the bond of trust. In such a case, the child should be thanked for sharing that he or she is understood and that it is known that he may have felt bad, and that this issue will be taken care of.
Educational videos on the subject can be watched by children. Psychologist Sedef Yıldırım's "Bodily Voice" video on her Youtube account is an example.
We wish for a world where our children will not have to protect themselves,
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