About the Human Body

Dealing With the Insides

Dealing With the Private Parts

Dealing With Sexuality

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(reading, mathematics, communication, morality, safety, about the body, finance, formal education)

 

A topic that often gets missed or given short shrift in a child's education is that of the child's own body. Many children grow up to be adults who know very little or nothing about their body, and this ignorance can set them up for health problems throughout their lives.

Be Your Child's First, Best, Longest Lasting, and Most Informative Teacher!

We think it important that children learn the proper names of their body parts, what they do, and how they should be maintained. Unfortunately, many parents don't know much about their own body, and this makes it difficult for them to teach their children. If this is you, please don't be ashamed. No one is born knowing these things, and if no one has taught you, then you would not have learned. Nevertheless, your world and your education is now in your hands. We encourage you to learn so that you can help your child learn. Educate yourself first, or better yet, learn with your child. This will show your child that one is never too old to learn something new.

Dealing With the Insides: We know an issue for parents is what the insides look like. As you teach your child, try to avoid getting too technical or too colorful. Also try to avoid using words like "gross" and "scary." Children often don't know to be grossed out or scared unless we tell them they should. You don't want your child to be scared away -- the body is fun and fascinating. Choose age-appropriate resources that will educate without turning the whole thing into a yuck-fest. And if your child looks bored or upset, just matter-of-factly put the book away and try a different book that isn't so graphic. It isn't a weakness to be upset by looking at the inside of the body. Some people enjoy it, and others want to faint. Watch your child carefully and don't laugh at your child or criticize your child for negative reactions.

Dealing With the "Private Parts": We know another issue for many parents is how to deal with the body's private parts. We suggest you not skip these areas, and that you try your best to deal with them matter-of-factly. They are natural and critical, they all have specific names, and they all have specific functions. If this is difficult for you, try practicing first without your child so you can organize your thoughts. Remember that your child will pick up on discomfort and will attach negative connotations to these parts. Try to avoid this by presenting these body parts as normal and interesting. At the same time, you can teach that it's inappropriate to discuss these parts with others, to show them to others, or to touch these parts while in public.

A good way to begin to teach a young child is to help the child outline their body on a large piece of paper. You and the child can then draw the body parts on the paper, label them and talk about what they do. Older children can build a skeleton or a human woman or man and then draw, color and label the body parts. You can even do "surgery" on the body figure, taking body parts out, and talking about which ones are critical for the body to function properly.

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