Get the Facts!
Providing children and youth with age-appropriate education on sexual health.
It’s never too early to talk with children about sex. Talking about sex, sexuality and bodies starting at a young age, using age-appropriate language and developmentally appropriate information, can help children understand that sex and sexuality are healthy parts of life.
Sexual health education should include the development of critical knowledge and skills needed to promote healthy behaviors and avoid risks. It is important that sexual health education incorporate skill development. Giving students time to practice, assess, and reflect on skills taught in the curriculum helps move them toward independence, critical thinking, and problem solving to avoid HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancy.
Quality sexual health education teaches students how to:
- analyze family, peer, and media influences that impact health
- access valid and reliable health information, products, and services (e.g., HIV/STI testing)
- communicate with family, peers, and teachers about issues that affect health
- make informed and thoughtful decisions about their health
- take responsibility for themselves and others to improve their health.
Research shows that comprehensive sexual health education:
- greatly reduces risky sexual behaviours
- gives children and youth the information and skills to make healthy informed decisions
- delays sexual activity
- reduces rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancies in the under 18 age group
.png?1578593886679)
