To think that yr3 is not too young for sex education?

[FunnysInLaJardin]

Obvs age appropriate. Another mum is DS2's class was outraged that her DS had to hear such things as he is so innocent and naive.

I am quite happy with it as tbh he has heard all of this already from his older brother. FWIW the boy in question also has an older sister so chances are he knows too.

But AIBU? There seems to be a difference of opinion in RL!

Fred DS2 knew how the sperm got into the egg in great detail and was slightly horrified that this meant that DH and I had had sex twice

He was actually far more interested in the biology than the sex bit

How on earth have your children not encountered books like "Mummy Laid an Egg" in the school library? 9 is NOT too early. Especially if you have pets who have reproduced. What do you think is inappropriate about the basic mechanics of mammalian reproduction? Much better to get it over with before they reach the giggling, stupid, pre-teen embarrassed phase.

My 8 year old knows all about it in an age appropriate way. Was 6 when had I youngest DC so lots of questions to answer! Plus is nosey little wotsit and science obsessed. Also I feel it's important from a safeguarding perspective to know what should be kept for consenting adults.

The other thing is, lying about where babies come from, how women get pregnant etc, or making up stories about "the stork" as my parents did, makes it into far more of an issue than it is.

Its simple biology, why isn't it viewed like learning about any other bodily function? Besides DS laughed when we told him about Father Christmas and has never believed - the stork has a snowball's chance of being convincing!

Its simple biology, why isn't it viewed like learning about any other bodily function?

I feel like this. Why not tell them - in simple terms - the truth? Is it really any more disturbing than the idea of a cabbage patch/stork etc?

My 3 and 4 year old understand the basics of reproduction. I’m a trained sex Ed teacher (primary) and strongly feel that factual and age appropriate information is vital. Children need to know what body parts are actually called and what they are for.

Zintox I started my period when 8

I was on holiday with out my parents who like you thought to young told me nothing I thought I was bleeding to death my periods are still traumatic till this day

I don't think that knowing the 'penis in vagina bit' makes children any less innocent...I had a junior encyclopedia when I was around 8 that showed a cross sectional diagram of sex and sure I thought it was interesting but I was just as interested in the pages about volcanoes or about different languages.

Many are fine for small children to lye about their biology but not to know the truth

One of our Y3's had a simple, age-appropriate lesson on the topic, and point-blank refused to believe it, on the grounds that his mummy and daddy wouldn't do that as it was rude (he was one of four, so I suspect this was untrue). If they're not ready for the information, it goes over their heads. But more seriously, I have read threads on Mumsnet where abused children have realised, when taught at school about bodily autonomy, have realised that what was being done to them was wrong.....don't confuse innocence with vulnerable naivete.

My ds had a sex Ed class at 8, I asked him about it and he rolled around the floor laughing. He’s 10 now, still vague about the difference between penis & peanuts and doesn’t know how babies get in their mum’s tummy. He’s watched Call the Midwife enough to know how the baby gets out though.

I’ve offered to explain and he just said “what’s for tea”. I’ll tell him when he asks.

www.amazon.co.uk/About-Babies-Bodies-Families-Friends/dp/1406306061/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ref=plSrch&keywords=sex+ed+books+children&dpPl=1&dpID=51HpzdxFhJL&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1531338543&sr=8-1

For 8 plus.

Since 3 my child has known the mechanics of it all. 8 seems a bit late to start tbh

www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Willy-Went-Nicholas-Allan/dp/0099456486/ref=pd_aw_fbt_14_img_3?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforum-21&refRID=43SRECP3FDTH0YJVRG0A

For younger children.

Innocence is about protecting children from the worst of humanity - rape and sexual violence.

Biology is suitable from the very first questions at 2/3/4 years old.

It’s been always discussed with DD throughout as she asks, she’s yr3 also. I’d like to think it’ll be as open and organic as she grows up. Much better than an 11 year old me being mortified by “the talk” and insisting to my mum I’d been told at school so she could shut up!

Not too young at all. As a pp said, there is no way in this day and age that someone in y5 doesn't already know. Best to find out properly than from kids in the playground.

if the year old asked fair enough to answer the questions. Otherwise absolutely not. We need to let kids be kids.

Of course 8/9 isn't too young. My d's is 4.7 and has asked various questions about how babies get here etc. I honestly wouldn't know where to start lying about it, he would just keep asking until the lies got ridiculous. He's seen my friend get bigger and bigger , then show up with a baby. Telling him she found it in the veg patch would be utterly ludicrous to him!

There is no such thing as too young for sex education, why do people make such a big deal about? Its only scary and confusing for your 7 year old becauses you've been lying and hiding it for their whole life.
My 3 and 4 year olds know and they were both fine with it.

I started my periods at the age of 9, and had a womanly shape from the age of about 6.5. I looked about 14 or 15 years old at the age of 9, and used to get frequently leered at and harassed by men and teenage boys.

I am extremely fortunate in my opinion that my parents had informed me about puberty of both sexes, and information about sex and contraception. I have always been very mature as a result, and used to try and educate my friends on these matters. Their parents or school should have been doing this, not one of their peers.

Y3 is definitely not too young.

The problem with sex ed in England isn't too much, too soon", it's too little, too late.

Should already be talking to your kids in an age appropriate way about this to avoid having "the talk" at some point. It should be a conversation where you are a trusted voice not "the talk".

Sex should just be an ongoing conversation and not this big "now I've deemed you old enough" awkward talk.

I think you hit the nail on the head here, TheMobileSiteMadeMeSignup

Also, porn access and expectations of young people are hugely different to when I was growing up, and I’m only 32. I believe it is therefore even more of paramount importance for young people to be as informed as possible - including on STD’s and slang and proper terms and words for body parts and sexual practices. I’d prefer it if young people could be as innocent as possible for as long as possible, but in today’s society I believe the best thing to do is to arm the young with as much knowledge as possible - it could help to prevent exploitation and abuse, especially if they understand a range of sexual terminology.