In a recent post, we shared that parents are informed of the content taught to their children in school, but may not have the bandwidth to review the communications fully and take a proactive approach when it comes to overseeing or approving the content. Listed below are some examples of content taught to children at different grade levels.1
Grades Pre-K through 2
Children are curious about their genitals and it’s important to teach the correct anatomical terms.
- Learn the difference between fun secrets and those that make you unhappy or uncomfortable
- Answers children’s questions about where they came from and where babies come from
- Provides experiences of a transgender YouTube personality
- Introductory lesson on consent and bodily autonomy in response to over-exuberant huggers
- Coloring sheets that teach body safety and support the Safe Children’s Act or Erins Law
- Resources that support LGBTQ+ family members
Grades 3 through 5
Children are curious about bodies and how they work, and learn how to build healthy relationships.
- Defines boundaries regarding nudity, sex and touch; birth sex, gender identity and roles
- Love, same-sex attraction, conception, IVF and puberty (periods, hormones, erections)
- Dialogues on affection, respect for others, predators, romantic love and online dangers
- Lessons on gender, sexual reproduction, intercourse, sexual orientation and masturbation
- Tools to talk with children about identity, relationships, pregnancy, personal safety and sex
- Age-appropriate sexual behavior, and concerning or very concerning sexual behavior
Grades 6 through 8
Children are experiencing puberty and exploring gender and sexual identity
- Informs young people about risk and reward, joy and discovery, harassment and pornography
- Reproduction that includes trans, non-binary and intersex bodies and experiences
- Self-image, finding and claiming your sexual self; determining gender and sexual identity
- Protect and support sexual and emotional health
- Guidance to identify, prevent and heal from sexual abuse or assault
- Resources for children 12+ who are seeking information on STIs, HIV, contraception, abortion, outpatient mental health counseling, alcohol or substance about counseling, and treatment related to sexual abuse and injuries
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