Talking about bodies

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This is an exercise that can be used with very young children through to teenagers. The purpose is to teach children about their bodies encouraging them to be aware of and knowledgeable about their body and its functions. This can begin with pre-schoolers. Using a body map of their own body, you can draw and cut out the body outline and put it on a wall. The idea is to name body parts and what they can do. Information can become more sophisticated as the child develops eg, Hand for a 2 year old; wrist, palm, thumb, index finger, knuckle, nails for a 6 year old; bones, tendons, joints, nerves, ligaments for an older child. Information can develop from external body parts to an understanding of internal body parts and their functions. In this way the naming of genitals can be introduced naturally. Chose words you feel comfortable with and over time increase the information according to the child's' age and development.

This process makes it much easier to teach your child about bodies, reproduction and puberty when it is done over time rather than 'doing the whole lot' in one go.

It gives children the clear and important message that its OK to talk about bodies and encourages children to learn about them. It enables children to develop a sense of ownership and pride in their bodies encouraging them to take good care of them and increasing their self esteem.

Children need to know they own their own bodies and it is helpful for adults to ensure children begin to assume responsibility for self care as early as possible. Washing, toileting and dressing are all activities that if children have responsibility for they are more able to understand that their bodies are their own and that adults are not allowed to touch their private parts. This can be taught to very young children.

Similarly if we are telling children that they are the boss of their bodies we must allow them not to kiss people if they do not want and not to play rough or tickling games if it makes them uncomfortable.

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