Cleveland kindergarteners to receive sex education
Categories: Pregnancy & birth, Development, Media, Education
I remember my first sex ed class. I was in eighth grade and the teacher was this former professional boxer with a broken nose, a cauliflower ear and a speech impediment. He was awesome. The class, however, was kind of confusing. All we did was watch that National Geographic movie with the micro-camera that follows the sperm from inside the penis into the, as my teacher said, into the "you know." That movie ended with an explicit birth scene, and my first vision of a real live "you know" was very hairy and very bloody and involved a small baby hurtling forth from within. The class seemed designed around instilling the idea that the end result of sex is very bloody and very painful. Well, deciding that the eighth is far too late to instill that important lesson, the Cleveland Public Schools are expanding their sex education program down to the kindergarten level. Cleveland has high rates of both teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases among teens, so school officials hope this early education will be an ounce of prevention. The new classes will address self-esteem and peer pressure as well as the biological aspects of human sexuality. Children in grades K-3 will learn about how viruses work and appropriate and inappropriate touching. Grades 4-6 will start learning about menstruation and other aspects of reproductive health. In grades 7-12, the programmed discussion will shift to relationships, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy and respect for sexual orientation.
It's one of the only sexual education programs in the country that targets every grade level.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
caelligh 10-22-2006 @ 2:25PM
I don't think it's ever too early to talk about certain sex topics, like the "how babies are made" stuff. I think its best to be frank with children about sex and the surrounding issues before they reach puberty.
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Lea 10-22-2006 @ 2:33PM
At least it sounds like the Cleveland program is based in reality, not the Land of Wishful Thinking, where abstinence until marriage is the only way.
I would approve of Baby A's learning about human sexuality and boundaries in kindergarten. We've already started talking about private areas and who can help her with her pottying, underpants, etc., and she won't be 2.5 until December.
It seemed strange to talk about such things already, but she's in nursery school four mornings a week and has babysitters a few times a month.
- L
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VL 10-22-2006 @ 3:41PM
The topics sound pretty age-appropriate to me. My daughter is in kindergarten, and we have had the "penis-vagina" discussion many times, as well as the "what to do if someone ever touches you" talk.
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ann adams 10-22-2006 @ 3:50PM
By the time the girls took the sex ed class in 5th grade, they could have taught it. It's too little far too late.
The more explicit classes aren't taught here until high school. By that time many of the girls are raising babies.
I don't remember starting at 2-1/2 as Lea did but they were home with me until pre-school at 3. Perhaps I did talk to them; it's been a while.
I'd want to know what is being taught in Kindergarten (and succeeding grades) and how the material is to be presented. If this idea takes hold, the instruction could vary widely from District to District.
I hope I have no more Kindergartners but if I did, I'd be fine with this. We can't start too soon with our kids and offended parents can still opt out.
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Kimberly 10-22-2006 @ 8:28PM
This is the standard curriculum in Ontario, and it's done in a very respectful, rational way. Nobody is going around giving the particulars to kindergartners, and nobody is discussing the joys of anal sex with the 5th grade. But they are introduced to the concepts of human sexuality, and to the fact that that encompassess many different varieties. And while abstinence is certainly offered as an option, so are condoms, the pill, and other methods.
I'm a big supporter of this curriculum. I think it's well thought out and necessary.
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charlie 10-22-2006 @ 10:31PM
Personally, I'd probably opt my kid out of this in the early years just out of fear of what opinions the teacher may throw in, but then I've taught my own daughter this stuff at the same age. But for the kids out there whose parents don't take an interest in what they're being taught, and who aren't teaching them anything themselves, this is much-needed. You'd be surprised how many kids don't know what areas are off-limits or why a sitter can give them a bath but not a random neighbor.
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pbl 10-22-2006 @ 11:34PM
I would absolutely support this curriculum if it were available in our area. If taught in an appropriate manner and routinely monitored, such a program could make a significant difference in the lives of our children's generation. A life-long and comprehensive sexual education that teaches a healthy and wholistic approach to human sexuality and health is the key to empowering children (and later the adults they grow into) to respect and embrace not only their own bodies and souls, but the bodies and souls of those around them. I work with teenagers and I cannot even begin to comprehend how so many of them have come so far in the world with such a limited understanding of their own sexuality and sex-related health issues. It's no wonder to me why so many of them end up in dangerous sexual situations that threaten their young lives and their future.
I am saddened when I hear from parents who don't want their children to participate in such programs- it usually it has to do with the misunderstanding that if their child were to learn about something of a sexual nature in a classroom setting, it would, in the child's mind, be equal to permission to do the act itself. In fact, the opposite is true. Study after study (and I am of course referring to actual scientific studies that are not paid for by special interest groups) show that a comprehensive sexual education that begins in early childhood not only helps to shape a healthy sexuality, but is the number one deterent to dangerous sexual behaviors and greatly reduces unwanted sexual activity, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. I respect every parent to decide what is and is not appropriate for their child, yet I do encourage parents to really get informed as to what their child would be exposed to in such a situation, and play a role in this education with supportive discussions at home. It is absolutely key that parents are partners with educators when it comes to their childrens sexuality.
Sorry I went off there, but clearly this is a topic I feel strongly about, and I am glad to see it being discussed in this forum.
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Eddie Burke 10-23-2006 @ 1:57AM
I once would have objected but that was when I too felt that the exposure would be equal to permission for the child to participate but through continued education for myself of the actual curriculum I have found comprehensive sexual education in early childhood classes not only helps to shape a healthy sexuality, but is a deterent to dangerous sexual behaviors as well asy reduces unwanted sexual activity, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
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Christine 10-23-2006 @ 12:01PM
Well when my daughter was in kindergarten, she and her friends went home and asked questions.... went back to school and compared answers.... then went back home and confronted the parents about the different answers. HAHA!
They are smart cookies.... this sounds like an awesome rational way to talk about things from a young age.
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Michael 10-27-2006 @ 2:31AM
No wonder why America is uptight and puritanical on sex, thanks to the conservative manipulation of sex education (don't blame liberals on this one). I'm not trying to make it a political or moral (religious) issue, but my attitudes toward sex is easier than most (is it just me?), but knew the social mores on sex isn't discussed and to maintain proper sexual relations with people (women in particular). We must openly teach sex education, but in steps and levels fit for the age or grade. We start in K-3 grade by age-appropriate descriptions of what makes boys and girls different (uh oh...any P-C wacko activists gonna prevent that?...I mean what boys or girls have, which is sex education in itself). By the 6th-8th grade, they should know their gentials in a medical manner, now a more acceptable time to teach sexual health habits such as absistence or condom usage, and of course in high school, school curriculums can go into detail on sex acts and functions, plus birthing senses (not always comfortable to watch, but to witness the miracle of life can be breathtaking). I worry boys and girls learn to look down or dislike each other over gender, which is like racial hate, classist snobbery, or religious intolerance (we must learn we're equal, but gender differences are real). It's a fact women have babies, but don't make them any "weaker" nor better than men (I admit it takes physical strength to have a baby, the pain of labor, plus weight gain and queasiness, but I admire woman to know its worth it to bring life). In my high school, men and women went to separate but equally educational seminars to discuss sex, gender issues, AIDS, procreation, pregnancy, menstruation and absistence. Speakers also talk on sexual abuse/harassment, homosexuality, and teen mother/fatherhood in serious overtones, with debates by students on their reaction and feelings on them. My female science teacher made me understand the woman's point-of-view, but she must be pretty open on it to share with pupils of both genders (male teachers do the same, but would it considered inappropriate, or any double standards still exist?). I really feel a man who leaves his GF when pregnant isn't a "manly" thing to do...he ought to help her out when she needs him the most. Also she may well prove herself to care or raise the child alone, or with support of family, friends and the social system. But the best way to prevent unwanted pregnancy is simply don't "do it" and same for STDs out there to protect ourselves from. +
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Elizabeth van Horne 11-13-2006 @ 9:28AM
I dont think this is an appropiate age to talk about sex education but i dont have a child right now to worry about that kind of stuff. i know that in my high school we had a few girls pregnant and it was just oh did you know so and so is pregnant? we first learned about sex and all of the private areas when i was in sixth grade. everytime a sexual word was said, people would laugh and giggle. or if someone said one they would get into trouble. In my opinion they should start talking about sex in seventh grade at least. Basically all you would get from little kids is what is a penis or what is a vagina. what are stds? unless you dont want to feel embarrassed about those questions you can go and tell them about them. We still felt embarrassed about it in high school because its very humiliating for teens to sit somewhere and have to listen so someone aobut sex...... if you have experienced it you know how it feels...
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Shanika 12-09-2006 @ 12:14AM
Hi, I commented on your post in my blog http://technologyteaches.blogspot.com/ primarily because of some recent childrens books I found for one of my education classes (I am a pre-service teacher). I do think some "sexual" or rather life issues do need to be taught very early (possibly as early as kindergarten), but I am still just shocked after readin your post because I've never known a school to do that before.
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