Health class in May has focused on developmentally appropriate sexuality education (aka sex ed). This looks very different at each grade level from learning anatomically correct names of private parts in K-2, to learning how the body changes during puberty in 3-4, to considering how relationships might change as they mature in 5-6.
Kindergartners learned that families can be all shapes and sizes and the importance of respecting families that are different from our own. 1st and 2nd graders practiced how they would stand up for someone who is being made fun up because of their gender, for example if a boy is being picked on for playing with a doll, or a girl is told she shouldn't play with trucks. K-2 learned the anatomically correct names for private parts and why it is important to keep them private. We watched and discussed lessons 1-6 of the "Protect Yourself Rules" videos that can be viewed here. These lessons focus on sexual abuse prevention, as is required by Act 1, a a Vermont law to protect youth.
3rd through 4th grade also covered sexual abuse prevention with the "Protect Yourself Rules" videos that can be viewed here. Additional lessons in 3rd through 4th grade focused on many of the social, emotional and physical changes that happen during puberty. As part of these lessons, we watched a series of videos (Am I Normal? Puberty Explained, Is this Normal? Puberty in People with Penises Explained, and Is this Normal? Puberty in People with Vaginas Explained.)
I was joined by Nurse Clayton for classes with 5th and 6th grade. We covered concepts related to personal safety (Act 1), healthy relationships, human reproduction, consent, abstinence, and contraceptives and sexually transmitted diseases. Contraceptives and sexually transmitted diseases were introduced at an age-appropriate level to build awareness and provide a foundation for more in-depth learning in later grades.
For older kids bringing home questions, I recommend families check out the videos at amaze.org together. They give factual, kid-friendlty information. One video that can be reassuring for kids who will or do menstruate (that we didn't show in class) is "Period Symptoms and Self Care". I've also pointed out that books in the library, like The Care and Keeping of You by Cara Natterson that Eric can help them find. I also share a bunch of books that are great resources in the Health Resources for Families slide deck https://meslibrary.my.canva.site/health-resources-for-families
In all grade levels, we discuss personal hygiene, including hand washing, showering/bathing, and wearing clean clothes, especially clean socks and underwear. I’ve shared these laundry tips before, but they can be especially helpful for extra-stinky clothes - a common reality for many active older kids, especially polyester sports jerseys! These strategies completely changed how I handle my own laundry at home.
Next up is nutrition - you can read an older post that best sums up my approach to nutrition education here- https://zainopeandhealth.blogspot.com/2024/12/mes-health-nutrition.html
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