FINAL TSTO Lesa Dec 14.pdf - Flipbook - Page 24
My friend had never heard the
word vagina out loud. And she did
this presentation when she was
learning to be a teacher, and... she
spent the whole time (pronouncing)
vagina ... vageena. Her lecturer
had to just leave the room because
she was trying not to laugh .. but
she had never used that word.
Whereas I think our kids know the
words - vagina, penis, testicles.
- Parent of 12 year old twin girls
What should I do when … my child plays with herself?
Masturbation (touching your own sexual parts for pleasure) is normal and healthy for
children and can start long before puberty begins. Children (and adults) can find it
comforting and enjoyable. Children just need to know that it is something to do in private.
Parents and teachers should only be concerned if a child is masturbating very
frequently, in private and public places. Some children who have been sexually abused
become preoccupied with masturbation, however this may not be the only reason for
this behaviour. It would be worthwile discussing your concerns with the child or if you
are uncomfortable doing this, with a counsellor or a health worker.
Do we need to say ‘vulva’
Yes — children need to know there is a name for those parts on the outside and ‘vagina’
is incorrect.
Having polite ‘science’ words helps children to talk with adults so that they can ask
questions and seek help. (see Start now: using the right names for body parts, page
15.)
I feel like one of the really
important things is to be totally
honest ... because I don’t want
her to grow up and think, “Gee,
my mum led me to believe that
babies were born through people’s
navels.”
18
- Parent of 9 year old girl
At age 9 or 10, children may
begin to feel attracted to
other people.
9 to 12
Puberty can start as early as 8, often at 10 or 11, and continues until around 18. Girls
usually start puberty earlier than boys. At around age 9 or 10, children might notice their
friends’ and classmates’ bodies, or their own, beginning to change. A little information
about puberty before it happens can help children understand what is happening.
