Why Start Early?
UNESCO and UNICEF recommend starting sex education early — not with sexual details, but with body names, boundaries, and consent. The AAP notes children who learn correct anatomical terms are better protected against sexual abuse.
By Age
2-4: Correct body part names, "your body is yours," good vs. bad touches. 5-8: Basic reproduction, online boundaries, respecting privacy. 9-12: Puberty, menstruation, personal hygiene, peer pressure.
Protection from Abuse
WHO reports 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience sexual abuse. Teaching the "bathing suit rule," "tell a trusted adult," and "no secrets about bodies" significantly reduces risk.
Sources: UNESCO, 2018; AAP, 2023; WHO, 2022; UNICEF, 2021.