- Review this information regularly with your children.Some good times to talk to your children about personal safety are during bath time, bedtime, and before any new situation. From child care to sports practices to dance classes, not to mention camps and after-school programs, children are meeting and interacting with many different adults and children on a daily basis.
- Expect questions. The questions your child asks and the answers that are appropriate to give will depend on your child’s age and ability to understand. The following tips might make it easier for both of you:
- Don’t laugh or giggle, even if the question is cute. Don’t react with anger. Your child shouldn’t be made to feel ashamed for his or her curiosity.
- Be brief. Don’t go into a long explanation. Answer in simple terms. For example, your preschooler doesn’t need to know the details of intercourse.
- See if your child wants or needs to know more. Follow up your answers with, “Does that answer your question?”
- Listen to your child’s responses and reactions.
- Be prepared to repeat yourself.
Talk with Your Child’s Pediatrician
If you are currently dealing with any of these issues or have additional questions, talk with your child’s pediatrician. He or she can work with you to distinguish age-appropriate and normal sexual behaviors from behaviors that are developmentally inappropriate or signal potential abuse. Asking for help simply means you want what is best for your child, and you will do whatever you can to help him or her succeed.
Additional Information & Resources:
- Potty Talk: How Parents Can Discourage the Behavior
- How to Shape & Manage Your Young Child’s Behavior
- Gender Identity Development in Children
- Sexual Abuse
- Child Abuse and Neglect
- The Evaluation of Sexual Abuse in Children (AAP Policy Statement)
Last Updated 4/1/2019
Source American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2016)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
