By Sonny Oboson, Tech Editor, Africa –
The process of talking about sex should start before they’re verbal. That means incorporating the proper names for genitals into everyday activities like bath time, using stylized names at the beginning. Penis, vulva, vagina, clitoris, bum, and nipples are all terms that every toddler should know. They need these words to communicate health issues or injuries.
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Teaching your baby the anatomically correct terms for her genitals might sound daunting, but be casual and treat those terms as you would the word “arm” or “ankle” as they continue to grow. At the beginning, avoid connecting sexual biology to gender. For example, drop the idea that all boys have penises and all girls have vaginas. Instead, say, people with penises or people with vaginas. By watching your language now, you set the groundwork for easier conversations about gender roles and identities later.
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Closer to age two, you can start talking to your kids about when and where it’s appropriate to explore their bodies. If your toddler has the tendency to touch their genitals, which is perfectly normal, use it as an opportunity to explain how that’s something we do in the privacy of our bedrooms. You want to be gentle. You don’t want your child to feel like they are doing something shameful. This early information can help your child as they make their journey into life.
Mr. Sonny Oboson is the man behind the brand MRWEBBS ONLINE, a dynamic IT professional. Having a degree in Business Management from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and certifications as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer from the National Institute for Information Technology, NIIT, Nigeria. He has an advanced Diploma in Systems/Network Engineering and an international certification, MCITP. He is the CEO of Sonnywebs International, with a head office in Nigeria and a collaboration office in New York. Contact him @ mrwebbs2@gmail.com or www.sonnywebs.com or heartmendersmagazine@yahoo.com.