Five to Eight Years Old

 

Children at this age continue with sex-play and masturbation, unless taught otherwise.

They start having strong friendships with people of the same sex. This is a good time to talk to them about how friendships work.

At this age they are intensely curious about pregnancy and childbirth. This is a good time to reinforce earlier learning and build on it. For example if you are unpacking shopping with a box of tampons in it explain what they are for.

At this age children may be able to recite the facts about reproduction but they still don't grasp the full story.

Ask your children what they know and where they got their ideas from. It will help you build on what they know.

Answer questions. Have a phrase for awkward moments, for example, the queue in the supermarket - "That's a good question. Let's talk about it once we get home" - and make sure you do.