Sexual Health – 3-5 Years

When children reach preschool age, they start paying more attention to what you say and do. They become more familiar with their own bodies and develop a curiosity about the bodies of others. It is common for them to start asking questions about reproduction.

Talking openly and providing accurate and simple explanations at an early age promotes future learning and conversations. 

Some parents might feel uncomfortable discussing sexuality with their young children. Here are some resources to help:

• Consent and privacy (Videos, AMAZE Parents & Planned Parenthood)
  • Help kids learn why it’s important to keep their private parts private
  • When should you start talking to your kids about sexuality
  • Help kids learn that bodies are private
  • How do I talk with my kid about healthy relationships?
• Naming body parts (Videos, AMAZE Parents & Planned Parenthood)
  • Help kids learn about their bodies
  • Help kids learn how bodies are mostly alike
  • How to talk to preschoolers about anatomy & body safety
• Reproduction Basics (Videos, AMAZE Parents & Planned Parenthood)
  • What to say when your kids ask “How are babies made?”
  • Help kids learn where babies come from [with Tusky & Friends]
  • Help kids learn where babies come from [with Scoops & Friends] 
  • Telling Kids Where Babies Come From (Sex, Adoption, IVF and Surrogacy) 
  • Help kids learn how babies are made  
  • How do you talk to young kids about sex?  
  • What to say when your kids ask, “Is playing doctor ok?”  
  • When can I start talking to my kids about sex?
  • How do I talk with my kid about where babies come from?
• Electronic Media
  • What should I do when my kid is exposed to, or asks questions about, mature topics? (AMAZE Parents)
  • How can I teach my kids my values (AMAZE Parents)
  • Online Child Sexual Exploitation (Public Safety Canada)
• Gender Identity & Expression
  • LGBTQ Family: I have two moms (AMAZE Org)
  • What should I know about gender? (AMAZE Parents)
  • Help kids learn about gender (AMAZE Parents)
  • How to teach your kids about gender (Planned Parenthood)
  • The You Inside Project (Gender Creative Kids)
• Amaze Jr. Colouring book

Check out these children’s books available at your local Newfoundland & Labrador Public Library (NLPL).

Services related to this information:

• Contact your Public Health Nurse
  • Eastern Urban/Rural Zones
  • Central Zone
  • Western Zone
  • Labrador-Grenfell Zone
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555
• Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries