- Try not to react negatively
- Project a positive and happy attitude to questions about sex and relationships
- This positive attitude continues into their adult life
- Have a laugh
- A negative reaction is worse than an inadequate answer
PRAISE
P
Positive
"That is a great question, tell me what you know about that?" ‘I’m really pleased you came and checked that with me…’
R
Respectful Relationships
"The reason we don't say that word to someone is because it is offensive to their way of life..."
- Core of all Sexuality Education and answers to kids questions
- Positive social relationships
- Gives them an ability to manage understand and resolve conflict
- Base all your discussions on respect to others
A
Accurate Answers
“Mummy accepted the seed from Daddy’s penis into her vagina, where it travelled up to meet the egg"
- We often joke to avoid the embarrassing truth. Don’t avoid it
- Use real terminology – bottom, penis, vulva and vagina , testicles. Normalise words
- Gives a vocabulary they can use in any situation – child or adult (prevention of sexual abuse)
- Starts conversation for future
I
Information
"Our family belief is that…" 0r "Other ways a baby can be born are..."
- Give additional more detailed information if it is relevant to the topic
- Explain your expectations, values, beliefs
- They need to know what is expected and appropriate
- Otherwise they will form their opinions from the School yard or unsupervised internet
S
Simple
"There are many types of families, her family has two mummies who love each other…and her dad lives-in a different house..."
How much to give? Keep the answer simple brief and factual, only what they ask for. They will ask for more if they want it.
E
Empowering
"If something appears on the screen that you should not see, turn the iPad over and come and get an adult" or "You can say to your mates - searching 'boobs' on the internet is boring let's look up goal of the year instead," ...then come and tell me about it when you get home
- Give solutions i.e.…. Turn off the screen, press the back key. If it does not feel right …. Its ok to say no
- Confidence in developing their own values and believes
- Gives them other behaviour options
- Remind them: ‘You can ask/tell me anything…’