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Sex education for six-year-olds Sex education for six-year-olds
(41 minutes later)
A sex education booklet aimed at six-year-olds has been published by a UK sexual health charity.A sex education booklet aimed at six-year-olds has been published by a UK sexual health charity.
FPA said the comic will be sent to schools across the UK if requested. FPA said the comic would be available for all UK schools to buy.
The 12-page booklet asks children to identify what the differences are between the two genders.The 12-page booklet asks children to identify what the differences are between the two genders.
Parents have the right to prevent their children from seeing it but family campaigners have called it an attack on children's "natural modesty".Parents have the right to prevent their children from seeing it but family campaigners have called it an attack on children's "natural modesty".
The pamphlet is called Let's Grow with Nisha and Joe and the FPA, formerly the Family Planning Association, hopes it will encourage discussion about the facts of life at a young age.The pamphlet is called Let's Grow with Nisha and Joe and the FPA, formerly the Family Planning Association, hopes it will encourage discussion about the facts of life at a young age.
Educational experienceEducational experience
Topics covered include naming parts of the body, the importance of family and friends and how to keep safe.Topics covered include naming parts of the body, the importance of family and friends and how to keep safe.
The charity's chief executive, Julie Bentley, said: "Sex and relationships education at this age is about learning basic information and skills, in exactly the same way that children start with ABC when they begin to read and write.The charity's chief executive, Julie Bentley, said: "Sex and relationships education at this age is about learning basic information and skills, in exactly the same way that children start with ABC when they begin to read and write.
She said the six and seven-year-old target age group wanted to talk about their feelings, bodies, and relationships.She said the six and seven-year-old target age group wanted to talk about their feelings, bodies, and relationships.
"It's important that they have this information before their bodies start to change."It's important that they have this information before their bodies start to change.
"Talking about body parts is often easier for children when they are younger as they are less self-conscious and less sensitive about their bodies.""Talking about body parts is often easier for children when they are younger as they are less self-conscious and less sensitive about their bodies."
This is all part of an exercise to break down children's inhibitions and natural sense of modesty. Norman Wells Family and Youth ConcernThis is all part of an exercise to break down children's inhibitions and natural sense of modesty. Norman Wells Family and Youth Concern
But Norman Wells, director of Family and Youth Concern, said it was up to parents and carers to teach sex education to children.But Norman Wells, director of Family and Youth Concern, said it was up to parents and carers to teach sex education to children.
"This is all part of an exercise to break down children's inhibitions and natural sense of modesty."This is all part of an exercise to break down children's inhibitions and natural sense of modesty.
"Most parents would be very concerned if they knew that their children were being given literature at school produced by an organisation that doesn't put sexual intimacy in a clear moral context and that fails to respect the role of parents.""Most parents would be very concerned if they knew that their children were being given literature at school produced by an organisation that doesn't put sexual intimacy in a clear moral context and that fails to respect the role of parents."
He said the FPA had published the booklet as part of a plan to put pressure on the government as it reviews sex and relationship education in schools.He said the FPA had published the booklet as part of a plan to put pressure on the government as it reviews sex and relationship education in schools.
This year Northern Ireland has made relationships and sexuality education compulsory for school children from the age of five.This year Northern Ireland has made relationships and sexuality education compulsory for school children from the age of five.
Elsewhere, schools must teach pupils the basics of human reproduction as part of their science lessons, but there is nothing about the emotional side of sex and relationships.Elsewhere, schools must teach pupils the basics of human reproduction as part of their science lessons, but there is nothing about the emotional side of sex and relationships.
The charity has tested the booklet in more than 50 primary schools with pupils and teachers having input to the comic's content and design. It has printed 50,000 copies.The charity has tested the booklet in more than 50 primary schools with pupils and teachers having input to the comic's content and design. It has printed 50,000 copies.
Children are encouraged to take the booklet home and show it to their parents and carers.Children are encouraged to take the booklet home and show it to their parents and carers.