Are you a parent who is hesitant to teach your children sex education at a young age? Are you a parent that doesn't know when is the right age to start to teach your children about sex education?

⁠ Talking to your kids about sex can be daunting.

However, children at a very young age have curious minds and are questioned about what they see around them. Children are innately curious and it is not usual for them to ask questions like "How did the baby get inside your tummy?" or "How are babies made?" ⁠ As parents, it is our responsibility to provide honest and correct answers to young kids because giving them false information will keep them unsafe and ignorant. ⁠ ⁠ Teaching your children sex education should begin as early and accurately as possible. It is also important to note that as planned parenthood, you need to empower your children with medically accurate sex education resources that are shame-free and age-appropriate. Calling a body part by the correct name helps eliminate shame and stigma. It also can keep your kids safe.

It is also good to know that sex education is not all about reproduction and teaching how to make babies, it also has a broader scope that helps children understand every aspect of sexuality and apply it meaningfully into their lives. It does not end with the big "sex talk" but rather, it's a continuous conversation about sexuality, whereas a parent we can continue elaborating and introducing concepts as they grow older.

Sex education in the United States is broken. Only 17 states require medically accurate sex ed, and only 7 states require topics like consent to be covered. The Federal government wastes billions of dollars funding abstinence-only education programs which have been proven to be ineffective and can even be harmful. "

The study also showed that the United States has one of the highest known rates of adolescent pregnancy and unprotected sex in developed regions."

But that isn't the case in the Netherlands. Sex education is being taught in Dutch schools as part of the curriculum. As early as the age of 4, children learn about female and male anatomy and consent. The curriculum expands according to their age and level of development. Before middle school, children learn reproduction, sexual knowledge, and safe sex.

Data shows that the Dutch approach to sex education is highly effective. "The Netherlands boasts one of the lowest rates of teen pregnancy in the world, as well as low rates of HIV and other STIs.

The Netherlands offers an excellent lesson in the positive power of comprehensive sexuality education. Thus, centering love, empowerment, and respect rather than fear, shame, and stigma."

Teaching your children sexual education should begin as early as possible. It often begins with anatomy lessons during toddler years and learning about consent at early childhood age. Once your child reaches the next childhood stage, certain topics are added according to their age and level of development. Topics such as self-pleasure, gender identity, and puberty. It is important to explain all of these developmental topics in a way that your child can fully understand. In that way, it helps your child develop healthy sexuality and keeps them safe in the world today.

Always remember, a big part of sexual health is education, and it all begins at home with parents.

Your superhero,

My Little Yoni