New PSHE curriculum

[user1529870050]

Having just seen the new PSHE curriculum for primary schools, I wondered how many parents have been informed about its content. I may be old fashioned however I was quite surprised by how explicit parts of it was - even for Year 1 children (aged 5 to 6). Surely parents should be consulted before such personal details are taught to their very young children by teachers who, due to COVID etc etc, have not been properly trained t o deliver this information.

Like what?

Yr 1 curriculum studies, for example, the differences between boys and girls, looking at and teaching the precise names for all parts of respective genitalia..As I said, I may be old fashioned in this respect but I feel parents should be consulted before this is taught to such little children. Also, from the teacher’s perspective, wouldn’t a teacher, male or female, feel particularly awkward bearing in mind the emphasis these days on safeguarding.

No, we do not because believe it or not, as teachers we are professionals. And yes, your way of thinking is very backwards

The differences between boys and girls or men and boys/women and girls?

Apart from genitalia I can't think how boys and girls differ really.

My kids are older and they definitely Iearned babies becomes children in Reception PSHE. Girls becoming women and boys becoming men is an extension of that idea which is fine imo because presumably it's about height, hairiness and boobs at that age ?

Why can't kids know the actual names of body parts? Mine always did. It helps abused children to explain clearly what's happening to them if nothing else

What's the problem with knowing the correct name for body parts? Our school has consulted, sent full details of the curriculum and held zoom info meetings

Would you prefer that teachers used nicknames for body parts until after age 7?

DS is yr1, why wouldn't I want him to know the proper names of things? And not doing so really is sexist - it's ok for boys to have a willy/penis but we baulk at vagina and vulva.

This is the type of nonsense we have come up against in our school. It’s also the same parents who do not come to safeguarding briefings because they think they know it all yet do not understand the importance of children knowing the correct names for their genitals.

Do you have a child at a primary school? It was a statutory requirement to consult with parents before the new Relationships and Sex Education curriculum was put in place. Implementation could be delayed due to the pandemic to ensure that this requirement was met. The policy will also be on the school’s website.

Crikey, if you’re upset at children being taught the correct names of the different body parts, wait til you see the other stuff that’s being taught if schools use the Jigsaw scheme!

It's hugely important that young children know the correct names for genitalia for safeguarding reasons. Cases of abuse have been missed because an adult hasn't realised what a child meant by saying 'my uncle touched my cupcake' for example.

Apart from the safeguarding reason, I honestly don't see the problem with children knowing the correct anatomical names for the parts of their body

All what you have mentioned will come under Science which is compulsory. Elbow not funny bone, vulva not flower. Aside from it being the correct use of names scientifically, it is important for safeguarding.

Why wouldn’t a yr1 child be able to use the correct terms for genitalia? What training does a teacher need to use the words penis or vulva? Plenty of training has been going on for a while range of subjects, regardless of covid. You’re quite right though, you are very old fashioned to be surprised by expecting children to be able to use correct language rather than made up names.

Being able to accurately describe body parts is so important in terms of safeguarding. You leave your child vulnerable if you fail to do this.

This isn't new!! We've been teaching this for years. There's nothing embarrassing about it, teachers are very professional and can actually say those words without giggling like a teenager!

If you read this thread you'll see that this type of education is definitely necessary:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4258132-Guardian-people-unable-to-identify-or-name-womens-genitalia

Why shouldnt a child know the correct names for their body parts? It is important that they do and part of a wider issue is that people feel so uncomfortable and frigid about them knowing. It's not like they don't know it is there. Far better to get them educated now when it's no big deal then when they become just as embarrassed about it. They aren't dirty words.

Both my children's primaries ran online sessions about this - fewer than 10 families attended each one. Both schools were very clear on what they will be teaching to each year group and there was plenty of opportunity to ask questions. It all seemed entirely age appropriate to me, I just wish they hadn't both picked the same week to teach it!

@user1529870050

Yr 1 curriculum studies, for example, the differences between boys and girls, looking at and teaching the precise names for all parts of respective genitalia..As I said, I may be old fashioned in this respect but I feel parents should be consulted before this is taught to such little children. Also, from the teacher’s perspective, wouldn’t a teacher, male or female, feel particularly awkward bearing in mind the emphasis these days on safeguarding.

Do you have kids? Mine are in secondary but when they were in y1/2 they had visits from the NSPCC who discussed the PANTS rule with them.

www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/

Schools have to teach this because parents aren't and kids who know about this are more likely to disclose abuse happening to them which is positive.

From a safeguarding point do view, having children know the proper names is penis vulva vagina etc is extremely important.

Cutesy name and patent like you talking awkwardly about genitals does nothing but make feel children feel shame and embarrassment.

I'm calling Troll.

It's good news to me that primary schools are now doing this, because as a quite parent maybe it means I won't have to have that awkward conversation! Agree with others that it's good the children know proper names for various reasons.

Another one who can't see an issue.

The only change I've asked my school to do is send out a letter to parents so they're not surprised or suspicious when their 5yo comes home saying "we learnt about penises and vulvas today!"

We were sent the entire curriculum information, and it was tedious beyond belief to Wade through.

Nothing is inappropriate imo, the only thing I questioned with school was their insistence on vagina. More often than not vulva is more correct. As soon as DH saw it, he commented that I needed to saddle up for my ‘vulva crusade’.