Dear All,
That is an interesting question. In America, we tend to say "privates" or the medical term. I also found the following guide for parents:
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Discussing Sex with Pre-Schoolers
Children begin to develop an awareness of their own bodies and an interest in sexuality at an early age. Parents should keep in mind that this is a normal process. Here are some things parents can do to instill healthy ideas about sexuality in their pre-school aged children:
Don't punish children for touching their own genitalia. Young children have a great curiosity about their own bodies. It is quite normal for them to touch and handle their own genitalia. Instead of punishing and shaming children for this normal behavior, parents should treat it matter of factly. As children approach school age, they should be taught that while touching one's private parts is okay, it is something that is to be done in a private place, like in the bathroom or in the child's bedroom.
Explain what private parts are and what body privacy means. While children are young, parents should teach their children that private parts are private, and that nobody else should touch them. This is also a good time to let children know that they should come to you or another trusted adult if anyone does try to touch their private parts.
Explain sex differences. Pre-school aged children are very curious about the differences between boys and girls. Parents should explain these differences to their children. Parents should explain that little boys have penises and that little girls have vaginas, etc.
source >
http://parentguide.dpsk12.org/parent_power/about_sex.htmlAnd on another site, the same discussion was taking place and "Sunshine" said something important to remember:
TOPIC > Sex Education at 5 - 'correct' names for body parts and parents of little girls?
In the UK sex education is to start at 5.
There have been a few questions posted already about this and it got me thinking.
At 5 children will be taught the 'correct' name for body parts.
It seems that the 'majority' of parents of boys refer to the penis as a 'willy' (in the UK anyway - sure the rest of the world can enlighten me to differences)
What about the girls?
I always had a problem with my daughter as to what we call her 'girly bits' and actually that is the name that stuck!
My friends daughter's have 'a mary', a 'twinkle' and a 'tuppence'.
So what do you call yours?
. . .
Sunshine posted: As someone who has worked with victims of sexual abuse, it is important that children know the anatomically-correct words for their body parts.
They can use different names if they so choose in day to day life, but they need to at least know the "real" names in case they ever encounter abuse, it makes it far easier to help pinpoint the abuse and hence the abuser is caught quicker.
Don't be so embarrassed by your body parts as adults that you can't explain them to your children. That's completely stupid, and your children will be exploited by their lack of knowledge.
source >
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081024070019AArlW9vAnother useful site >
http://www.centerforpreventionofabuse.org/body_safety.php* * *
- Ayesha
P.S. Please see my recent posting "Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children Safe and Parents Sane, by Gavin de Becker" >
http://forum.brillkids.com/teaching-your-child-other-topics/protecting-the-gift-keeping-children-safe-and-parents-sane-by-gavin-de-becker/msg16148/?topicseen#new