GENDER DIVERSITY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

The Issue I choose to talk this week was found on the home page of the NAEYC that I posted last week:

"You Want Me to Talk to Children about What?": Responding to the Subject of Sexuality Development in Young Children
Mary Sciaraffa and Theresa Randolph



 

The issue is a topic not frequently talked about as 
Teachers don’t wait to talk with
young children about nutrition or
traffic safety; they need to treat
sexuality in the same way. ( YC p.1), 


 This issue of  sexuality and who teaches our children about it was presented as a post on current issues. A few parents have gained the consciousness and awareness of at least teaching their children to be protective of their bodies. Sexuality information for parents and teachers is often presented as a way to protect children from sexual predators and sexual abuse. These topics are extremely important, but information regarding healthy sexuality is equally critical (YC, p.1 )

Thus, the need to bring up the issue of sexuality in a manner that children grow up accepting that sexuality is part of who we are and that we can co exist being a boy or being a girl. early childhood needs professionals who are comfortable about this topic if we must support healthy sexuality development. when our attitude portray towards sexuality continues to be characterized with what we do in the secret, then we pass on that norm.

One point that makes a lot of sense is that, when adults are not straightforward about sexiuality in their lives, then they can create havoc trying to teach a healthy understanding of sexuality.Adults
who are open and positive help children develop a healthy attitude about their bodies, about being a boy or a girl,about having close relationships with others, and about asking questions about their bodies ( YC, p. 2). This forms a bedrock on which  healthy interpersonal skills can be built. 

Parents and teachers are enjoined to see that infants and toddlers from birth learn about love, touch and sexuality while they were developing healthy relationships of trust and dependency with the adults in their lives.


Behaviors That May Indicate Potential Problems
 
There are some sexuality behaviors in children that could
be a cause for concern. These behaviors may indicate that
a child is experiencing sexual abuse. Families and teachers
need to be aware of and know how to respond to such
behaviors. Some examples follow. The child
• mimics explicit adultlike sexual behavior;
• appears to have learned the behavior;
• repeats the behavior;
• involves others by coercion, in particular if the other child
is younger or physically smaller;
• attempts to screen the behavior from others’ view.
If you observe worrisome behavior, remain composed
and calm. If necessary, ask the children to put their clothes
on, and redirect their play. If you need to express your
discomfort, do so when children are not around. Always
document such incidents in writing. (For more information
about behaviors that may indicate sexual abuse and for a
documentation template, go to the Stop It Now! website at
www.stopitnow.org).


 How should adults respond to children’s questions and
comments about sexuality?
Calmly answer the questions according to the age and previous
knowledge of the child. For example, a 3-year-old child
may ask why a boy stands up to use the toilet. The teacher
may say, “Boys and girls use the toilet differently because
boys have a penis and girls have a vagina.” The teacher can
always refer the child back to the parents. Keep it simple. Read more? visit http://www.naeyc.org/yc/files/yc/file/YC_You_Want_Me_to_Talk_to_Children_about_What.pdf


How should adults respond to children’s public
or private self-pleasuring?
Self-pleasuring is normal. To address this behavior, explain
to children what behaviors are appropriate in private or
public. Assess the situation. If the behavior is public, calmly
(and privately) explain that it is something that is done in
private, and redirect the child to another activity. Read more...  Read more? visit http://www.naeyc.org/yc/files/yc/file/YC_You_Want_Me_to_Talk_to_Children_about_What.pdf



How should adults talk to children about privacy?
Teach children the difference between secrecy and privacy
to prevent sexual abuse. A secret is something only a few
people know, and it is not shared with others. Secrets that
make you uncomfortable should be shared with an adult. Private
information is allowed to be known but not necessarily
shared. For example, everyone knows that we all have to use
the bathroom. It is not a secret, but it is a private activity.

There are more of these FAQ, kindly visit  Read more? visit http://www.naeyc.org/yc/files/yc/file/YC_You_Want_Me_to_Talk_to_Children_about_What.pdf


 CONCLUSION

Sexuality is more than intercourse and reproduction. Early childhood teachers and administrators support children’s healthy sexuality development directly, as they interact with children, and indirectly, as they work with families and plan programs (Chrisman & Couchenour 2002).  p. Sexuality shound be viewed as a part of the process of developing a holistic child and our attitude should be one that demonstrate professional knowledge about it. Children need to learn and when we push, and avoid the responsility of helping them to know, we demonstrate lack of commitment towards the field of the early childhood.


Reference:
You want me to talk to children about what...
www.naeyc.org/yc/files/yc/file/YC_You_Want_Me_to_Talk_to_Children_about_What.pdf