Sex education for 6 year olds....

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I received a letter from my eldest's school saying they will be teaching KS1 and KS2 children Sex and Relationship Education and I can choose to opt out if I want to. At first I was a bit 'He's much to young' but when I talked to the other mums at the school they opened up a whole new window which, I never really thought about. We will be receiving further information today, I'm assuming as to what they will be teaching them but is it really necessary at an age of such innocence?

I know different parents will have different opinions about it but thinking about my child he seems fairly immature for that sort of thing, what is your opinion? I can understand it's been proven to reduce the 'teenage pregnancy and STI rates' But, when I had my first sex education class I was about 8 my partner on the other hand was about 10-11 and we both have very different experiences.

I remain in an open mind so please share your opinions.

They'll be teaching them about good touches and bad touches, and respect and relationships, with adults and each other. I think it's highly unlikely they'll actually discuss the mechanics of sex at this age.

That said why do you think it would spoil his innocence? Kids are pretty matter of fact about stuff - it's only adults that seem to think it's something unsuitable for young kids.

Agree with previous poster. At our school they teach sex in y5 and y6. At your son's age it could be stuff like how children were babies and grown up into adults. How to resolve disagreements with friends. Why good hygiene is important.

My 3 children have all understood the mechanics of sex at 4 years of age and before they started school.
Because they have asked questions over time and I have answered them - with the facts in a way appropriate to their age.

From what I have seen of the materials for teaching "sex" to young children it is also appropriate to their age and nothing to worry about.
There are some sensationalist stories (in tabloids & online) but I don't think they reflect what is really taught. Best find out from your school.

Our school show us the videos they use each year. In yr1 it's mostly about babies and showing puppies/chicks/ and then a pregnant woman and a baby! Nothing about sex.

The full frontal birth video is yr6 I'm told

Lol I would rather he found out properly than getting misinformed on the playground. I would prefer if they could show us the video but I just felt completely shocked that they even do that now call me naive but I was never told about it growing up, neither was my mums mum, although she did have 9 children :S maybe best they get it all early.

Only the teacher will be able to tell you exactly what will be taught, don't rely on playground gossip even if parents already had it with an older sibling as material often changes.

DD was 6.5 when she asked and we answered, I don't think it will take away any innocence. DD already had a fairly good idea about birth, we went to a farm who had a large display of lambs being born in colour photos.

They are curious and I prefer DD can come to me at any time and ask, knowing she gets an honest answer, than relying on half-baked truth in the playground from Y5 and Y6 pupils.