• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Childrens Cove

The Cape & Islands Child Advocacy Center

  • COVID-19
  • Get Help
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Child Abuse
    • What is Child Abuse?
    • Sexual Exploitation
    • Signs + Symptoms
    • General FAQs
    • If You Suspect Abuse
  • Parents + Caregivers
    • Have the Conversation
    • How to Protect Your Child
    • Keep Kids Safe ONLINE
    • Resources
    • Parent FAQs
  • Kids + Teens
    • Kids
    • Teens
  • Services
    • Accessing Services
    • Forensic Interview
    • Mental Health
    • Family Advocacy
    • Medical
    • CSEC
  • Community
    • Community News
    • Education
      • Professional Training
      • Community Education
      • Online Education
    • Volunteer
    • Upcoming Events
  • About Us
    • Our Story
    • What Are CACs?
    • Staff + Board
    • Employment + Internships
    • Media
      • Media Room
      • Brand + Campaigns
      • Press Releases
    • Contact Us

GET
HELP

QUICK
EXIT

Have the Conversation

Parents + Caregivers

Have the Conversation

There’s no perfect time or age to speak with your children about body safety. Instead, it should be part of regular conversation from their early years through their teens. We talk with our children about so many important safety topics, including fire, water, street and car safety. Let body safety be another topic you introduce.

Watch on YouTube – SPANISH   PORTUGUESE

Tips for speaking with your child about body safety

Show that you’re available to answer questions as they grow by creating an atmosphere of trust.

When is the right time to talk to my child?

There is no “right time.” Use every day experiences to teach your children about body safety.

The conversations don’t need to be awkward. Some examples are when you help your child get dressed after swimming, or after taking a bath. Teaching body safety is saying, “the parts of your body covered by your bathing suit are private. No one should touch you there or ask to touch you there. And no one should ask you to touch their private parts or look at them. I am helping you get dressed, because I am your parent, and someday you will be able to do this by yourself.”

How often should I talk with my child?

Repeat the conversation often.

Most children will accept the conversation about private parts, just as any other lesson you teach. These lessons should be repeated often to make them accessible and comfortable.

What is body safety?

Body safety is calling body parts by their correct names.

A head is a head, shoulders are shoulders, knees are knees, toes are toes, a vagina is a vagina, and a penis is a penis. When we add new words, we make it confusing for children, and if something happened, it’s better for children to be able to use the correct terms for their (and other people’s) bodies.

Is this sex education?

No.

It’s a conversation about safety that allows you and your children to talk about subject matter that may have been uncomfortable for you to have with your parent or guardian. It’s not a conversation about the birds and bees. There is no “appropriate” age to start talking about this. The right age is now.

How do I start the conversation?

With each question, think of what’s important to you as a parent to communicate. These prompts allow you to practice conversations of safety and create an atmosphere of trust:

  • “Have you had a time where you didn’t feel safe?”
  • “Who are three adults, besides (mom/dad/family) you trust?”
  • “What parts of your body are private? Has anyone asked to see or touch those parts of your body?”
  • “Has anyone ever asked you to touch or look at any parts of their body?
  • “Is there a place that you don’t like to go, because it makes you feel uncomfortable?”
  • “Has anyone or anything made you feel upset recently?”
  • “Has anyone ever told you to keep a secret?”
  • “Has anyone ever told you to keep a secret from me (as a parent)?”

Sometimes it is easier if you can read a book with your child to facilitate the conversation. View our suggested reading list here.

Our interactive Kids page allows you and your child to explore questions and answers together.

To learn more about how to protect your child, visit here.

Primary Sidebar

  • Have the Conversation
    • Helpful Reading
  • How to Protect Your Child
  • Keep Kids Safe ONLINE
  • Resources
  • Parent FAQs

Children's Cove is a proud
department of Barnstable County.

Our Partners

Children's Cove - The Cape and Islands Child Advocacy Center ©2021. All Rights Reserved.
Individuals pictured are models and are used for illustrative purposes only.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender or gender identity, disability, ancestry, age, marital status, public assistance status, sexual orientation, veteran history/military status or genetic information. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider employer, and lender.

Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Contact Us
Social Media Policy
Disclosure Notice
Volunteer
Communication Policy
Google Translate Disclaimer
ADA Grievance Procedure
ADA Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Copyright © 2023 · childrenscove child theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in