What IS appropriate in a Kindergarten sex ed program? (beliefs, homosexual)

[jonny]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Seems about right to me, jonny. I can imagine some giggling and uneasy silence when some of this is talked about but I don't feel it's over the line at all.

What do you think? What parts bother you?

There are little things in some of the topics that bother me and I could be convinced on some of those that I didn't select (or wouldn't really care if it was actually taught).

The ones I have a problem with are the ones I've always had a problem with:
- Masturbation - I don't think it's an appropriate topic for kindergarteners.
- Abortion - I personally don't think that this topic should really be included in a sex ed program until middle school or high school. I realize that they are only trying to lay the foundation for the topic in these early years, but I feel that the topic is too complicated and controversial for a kindergartener to understand properly.
- Sexual orientation - Kindergarten kids are not at the point where they can really understand sexual attraction, so teaching the topic is over their heads.
- Reproduction - I'd prefer to wait until the child is a bit older to start getting into details on this.


Children like to expiriment. If you teach them about these things before they are able to make wise decisions, some of them will try them out. This is one of my main objections to teaching children these things too soon. I'm sure you'll all tear me apart because of this opinion, so go at it. I'd prefer to wait until my kids can make somewhat intelligent decisions about their sexuality before they learn how everything fits together.

[Reverend Rick]

When I was in Kindergarten, I learned about crayons and finger paint. We learned to share and basic socialization. Recess was nice, so was snack time. I remember these huge building blocks and several of us made a fort to play in. I hated nap time.

I don't think anything in the questionnaire was appropriate except for improper touching.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by jonny

The ones I have a problem with are the ones I've always had a problem with:
- Masturbation - I don't think it's an appropriate topic for kindergarteners.

The only problem I have with this topic would be in the unsaid details. I just can't imagine the teacher would say one sentence and leave it at that can you?

But, little boys and girls are fascinated with their own and each other's private parts at this age. I think it's important to say something!

Abortion - I personally don't think that this topic should really be included in a sex ed program until middle school or high school. I realize that they are only trying to lay the foundation for the topic in these early years, but I feel that the topic is too complicated and controversial for a kindergartener to understand properly.

I agree completely with you here. And would rather the subject didn't come up at all. Even if the teacher simply said that some girls don't want the babies they become pregnant with would be too much in my mind. *shudder* How can you teach a five year old about abortion at all? Kind of baffles me to be honest. It's entirely too young.

Sexual orientation - Kindergarten kids are not at the point where they can really understand sexual attraction, so teaching the topic is over their heads.

I'm ok with this as long as not too much detail is given. I don't see how it could hurt.

Reproduction - I'd prefer to wait until the child is a bit older to start getting into details on this.

Again, we don't know the details behind the curriculum so it's hard to say. But, I wouldn't have a problem with this subject in general. I think kids at any age can handle this topic.

Children like to expiriment. If you teach them about these things before they are able to make wise decisions, some of them will try them out.

I hate to break it to you jonny but kids will try this stuff out regardless if anything is said or not. I still remember very vividly showing a boy my private parts when I was 5 and he showed me his, we were curious. It was over in 10 seconds. And that one showing assuaged my curiosity for years! hahaaaa

[Blindinglight]

Definitly the sexual abuse and harassment.

To certain degree, sexual orientation. Not going into details, but rather a "Some people love others of the same gender, they are people as well and have feelings, it's not nice to call them whatever" and so on.

[Mestemia]

Wow.
That is quite alot of stuff for kindergarteners to learn.
Especially with all the other stuff: shapes, numbers, letters, colours, etc


Perhaps someone can figure out how they are going to teach all that PLUS the numbers, letters, shapes, colours, etc. when they are only attending for half a day?

[Blindinglight]

Perhaps someone can figure out how they are going to teach all that PLUS the numbers, letters, shapes, colours, etc. when they are only attending for half a day?

With the current trends of shifting towards all day, they'll need something to fill the time in with.
I will agree though, it is sad that todays society expects children to grow into adults overnight.

[jonny]

Originally Posted by Mestemia

Wow.
That is quite alot of stuff for kindergarteners to learn.
Especially with all the other stuff: shapes, numbers, letters, colours, etc


Perhaps someone can figure out how they are going to teach all that PLUS the numbers, letters, shapes, colours, etc. when they are only attending for half a day?

I guess that's why they are pushing for a full-day kindergarten program in a lot of areas. Numbers, letters, shapes and colors in the morning. Homosexuality, masturbation, intercourse, and abortion in the afternoon.

[Kungfuzed]

My seven year old daughter loves learning about human anatomy. She grabs my Grey's Anatomy for Students and will go through it and ask me all kinds of quesstions. It's a great tool, lots and lots of detailed colorful drawings. I see no harm in it. There is nothing dirty or shameful about the human body, unless you make it that way. Sure she's not going to remember what cilliated columnar epithelial tissue is but she has a general idea of what major body parts are and what they do. I bet she knows alot more than most kids her age about the body.

I'm going into nursing, and I'd much rather see kids overtaught about sex than undertaught. I think it should be taught every year like math or english, a health class.

Of course, this thread is about kindergardeners, 5 year olds. I honestly wish I knew more at that age. If you only knew what your kids were up to when you're not watching them. I remember at that age playing together with the other kids in the neighborhood and playing show and tell with our private parts. It's completely natural. Kids love being naked and some are quite the exibitionist. They need to be taught to respect their body and the privacy of others. They need to be taught about predators and abuse.

How do we decide what is age appropriate? Is this information only to be dispersed on a need to know basis? Or should we begin teaching everything to start a solid foundation? Some of it does seem a bit advanced for kindergarden, but I think some of the brighter students would catch on, and it's not like all of this is taught in kindergarden. I think it's meant to be spread out from 5 to 8 year olds. I think it's all definitely good for 8 year olds and that 5 year olds can at least get the general concepts. The purpose of this isn't to remove their innocence. They won't really know for sure what we're talking about until they do it themselves, but at least they'll be prepared.

I voted for everything because it can all be covered to a certian extent with the right wording for that age group.