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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Year one learning about everyone’s bodies..

26 replies

Jinnybean · 13/09/2021 19:41

I know iabu but I didn’t think I would be having conversations about boys penises with my just turned 4yo dd tonight around the dinner table 😂😂🙈

Aibu to think the school should have gave us some sort of warning. We use the normal words in our house but we also have taught dd that her body is private and only mummy or the doctor (if mummy is with her) can see her privates if they are sore.

I don’t know, I completely understand the need to teach them but year 1 seems so young 🙈

OP posts:
roundtable · 13/09/2021 19:43

I thought the scientific names of the body talk was in year 2?

Is it something they were taught or something that came up in conversation?

Merryoldgoat · 13/09/2021 19:44

What do you mean? Are they just learning the words?

My son has been using the word penis since he was 2.

roundtable · 13/09/2021 19:44

Also just turned 4 years old and year one?

2lsinllama · 13/09/2021 19:45

School should have a policy - maybe look online. As pp suggested, was it an actual lesson or a discussion that cropped up in the middle of something else?

2lsinllama · 13/09/2021 19:46

@roundtable

Also just turned 4 years old and year one?
Good spot! Surely they should be in Reception?
CallMeRisley · 13/09/2021 19:46

Just turned 4yo (eg in July or august)
is Reception isn’t it? Unless you mean literally just turned 4yo this month in which case still Nursery?

Original poster
Jinnybean · 13/09/2021 19:47

She was 5 start of august so “not just turned”. Just realised I put she was 4 😂🙈

Yes we use the normal words like penis and vagina but I’m just shocked that it was taught in a lesson lol.

It was a proper lesson, they had sheets that the had to fill in the names (with help obviously).

OP posts:
AmyDudley · 13/09/2021 19:47

There's a difference between teaching children bodily autonomy and privacy, and teaching them anatomical facts.
Did she seem distressed by the information or simply interested and wanting further discussion ?

I don't see a problem - by this age children know boys and girls are different and they also know that different parts of our bodies have names. They aren't being presented with any alarming new concepts - it wouldn't bother me at all, and I wouldn't expect to be informed. We were doing lessons about bodies with reception children when I was doing teaching practice about 37 years ago - never had any complaints from parents.

Sayitaintsoiwillnotgo · 13/09/2021 19:47

It is to stop them being taken advantage of, groomed and god knows what done to them. Knowledge and openness is key and I applaud the school and you for being receptive to it.

Do agree though a heads up would be nice so you could have been prepared!

CiaoForNiao · 13/09/2021 19:47

We use the normal words in our house but we also have taught dd that her body is private and only mummy or the doctor (if mummy is with her) can see her privates if they are sore.

Presumably school didn't teach the opposite of this?

Stompythedinosaur · 13/09/2021 19:47

I don't think you can be too young to know the names if your own body parts. There's nothing dirty about it.

Original poster
Jinnybean · 13/09/2021 19:47

Sorry she’s 5! Turned five in august. I still say she’s 4 by mistake 😂🙈

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 13/09/2021 19:48

They should be using the proper words even at nursery, you don't need to be warned about that. They might need to tell an adult where they've been hurt or something they've seen. I once had a child try to tell me she'd hurt herself on the climbing frame, I'd never heard the word she used and it took me ages to find out what was wrong.

Sirzy · 13/09/2021 19:49

From a safeguarding POV it’s important for children to know the proper terminology as part of helping children understand about why certain body parts need to be kept private.

Original poster
Jinnybean · 13/09/2021 19:49

I’m not complaining tbh, and I wouldn’t. It’s just abit of a shock, I think because she’s my youngest and my “baby” i just wasn’t expecting if 😂 she said everyone was laughing and the teacher said it shouldn’t be funny 😂🙈

OP posts:
Pinkflipflop85 · 13/09/2021 19:49

Why would school need to tell you that they are teaching correct scientific vocabulary?

Original poster
Jinnybean · 13/09/2021 19:50

I completely agree with using correct names, like I said we do. :)

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 13/09/2021 19:50

Around the dinner table is where these sorts of conversations should be had, in a relaxed and normal atmosphere.

It really isn't too young.

Sirzy · 13/09/2021 19:51

But not everyone does which is why schools cover it.

PumpkinKlNG · 13/09/2021 19:51

I have an autistic child my daughter is In year 6 and her main form of speech is repeating everything over and over again, she will constantly say loudly in public “girls get periods and grow breast” over and over again, I know she has to learn but her sitting and shouting it repeatedly on the bus is not fun 😣

Original poster
Jinnybean · 13/09/2021 19:51

That’s so true. We have a lot of conversations similar round the table 😂

I think it’s just a shock that she’s growing up :(

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 13/09/2021 19:52

It’s part of the key stage 1 PSHE curriculum. Also comes in to the science curriculum to some extent.
It’s just the correct anatomical names.can’t really see what’s so shocking. Especially if you already use them at home.

Original poster
Jinnybean · 13/09/2021 19:53

We’ve never really had to discus penises before with dd lol, she has never really asked and she hasn’t seen her dad or brother naked before. We obviously told her boys have them but not in Dee conversation lol

OP posts:
Fiftyand · 13/09/2021 19:56

If this was a PSHE lesson you should have been told about it beforehand. Parents have the right to withdraw children. Third week into year 1 seems very young to me. I work in a primary school and I’m fairly certain this lesson is towards the end of year 2.

roundtable · 13/09/2021 19:58

No parents don't have the right to withdraw children for learning scientific names.

They do for sex education. But that's not sex education.