You could look at the book 'where did I come from'. I remember looking at it when I was little. Was always there to ask questions
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You could look at the book 'where did I come from'. I remember looking at it when I was little. Was always there to ask questions
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My eldest was asking so many questions that I bought a "how your body works" book when he was 4 or 5 which explained (using robots) the whole process in an age appropriate way. It made it easier to talk about it when I had some guidance in the book and it made it easier for him to understand.
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Thanks Traveller and Onelittleprincess I love the idea of getting books that can help explain in an age appropriate way.
I've looked at my local library and they have 'where did I come from' and links to other recommended books which is handy!I never knew they linked to other books. They must also have how the body works books too.
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There are other books too.
Mummy Laid an Egg and Where Willy Went are two good ones.
Also, Planned Parenthood in the US have a good site called Starts at Home all about teaching kids (yes, as young as four) about sex.
Good luck!
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I don't think 4 is too young... I think if they ask you tell them... as simply and with as minimal information as possible.... after all what's wrong with...
...the daddy's sperm meets the mummy's egg and it grows to make a baby..... (dd - what's sperm? mummy - it's like a seed)
.... the sperm comes out of the penis and goes into the vagina where the baby grows....
I'd be surprised if a she'd ask how the sperm gets to the vagina... but if she does..... the penis goes into the vagina....
it's only a big deal, because we make it a big deal.... I've never read any research anywhere that says not to tell a four year old.... I may be wrong... but.... what I know about child development is that you answer the questions when they ask... as SIMPLY as possible... and without embarrassment! because they may never ask again.
in my humble opinion anyway.... for what it's worth
p.s.... I agree with the story books... we read "What's happening to me" to DSD at 9... cause I kept waiting for her to ask and she NEVER did!! In fact I had to manufacture the actual sex talk... cause like n2l... I DO not want her learning it from anyone else but us...
p.p.s..... I'm not suggesting you say ALL of that... only answer her questions... short and simple... one step at a time....
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I got the same question at 2. At that age I decided less was more. When I thought about it for a minute, I realised that his brother hadn't been long born and that maybe was thinking that babies are that big when they start in the tummy. So I just said that when babies start in the tummy they are tiny, so small you can't see them, and then they grow to be baby size and are born. That seemed to do the trick. Three weeks later he asked why only mummies have babies in their tummies, not daddies. I told him that daddies don't have a uterus for the baby to grow in and that kept him going for a long time.
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my 4 year old asked me this question the other day. I just asked "how do you think?" She said "i think mummy and daddy put them in there" so i just agreedi must admit my mind was racing trying to think of an age appropriate way to tell her so will keep all this in mind for when her answer no longer satisfies her.
BellyBelly Life Subscriber
My son asked this a while ago.
I said that mummies and daddies make babies together, with a seed from dad and an egg from mum.
That satisfied him.
Except a little later he came back to ask why he'd never SEEN us making a baby.....
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Did you tell him daddy's seed only comes out at night when all kids are asleep. Like Santa it doesn't come if anyone is awake?
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awkward smile.... Ahhhh..... That's special mummy and daddy time.
Moi - it's great to be prepared for the questions, but she probably won't ask for as much detail as you think at this age
Good luck with your discussion, I'd be curious to see how you go
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Thanks nothing2lose - From what I've also read online (and yes I know that not everything is to be believed online) it is fine to introduce these concepts at four but no need to go into every little detail at this age, more because of the fact that they have low attention spans. I've been reading articles written by child psychologists, so I am tending to trust what they are saying. Some are saying slightly different things on how much detail to go into, but they all agree that it is appropriate to introduce sex education at age 4, just no need to go into every detail. I might also talk to some child psychologists to make sure the information is correct though.
Just saw your response myturn - and from what I'm reading what you've said is what child psychologists are saying.
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I think that's what MyTurn does in her spare time (when not surfing BB!)
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phew.... glad to know I know what I'm talking about
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.... you just did...
feel free to PM me if you'd like.... there are a couple of others lurking on here as well...... maybe they will come out to play ...
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This might be helpful too...
http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/c.../2/TSTO_V2.pdf
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Oh cool. hehe.. yeah I'm feeling more confident in what to say now so thank you..... you just did...
feel free to PM me if you'd like.... there are a couple of others lurking on here as well...... maybe they will come out to play ...
I went to the library today and they had a lot of "where do babies come from" books. I found one that I feel is age appropriate. It discusses the growth of plants, chickens, cats and humans. So it helps put things into context without being really overwheltming.
nothing2lose - On the topic of birth that is one that I will eventually have to come back to, because I had a c-section, so DD has seen pics of her coming out of my tummy - literally! And now thinks that's how babies come out of their mums.For now I am happy for her to think that way but will need to correct her at some stage.
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