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Start a Conversation

Start a Conversation

Teachable Moments happen every day. We can use them to hear what children think about a sexuality topic and also to share healthy messages. 

ASK. LISTEN. SHARE.

ASK a question that encourages the child to share their views on a sexuality topic. For example, ask “What do you think about that show with the parenting teens?"

LISTEN to the child’s feelings about the issue.

SHARE your family values and accurate information.

Examples of Teachable Moments

  • Watching television and movies
  • Listening to music  
  • Looking at an Internet site or social media
  • Talking about personal experiences and other people's experiences (family members, friends, etc.)
  • Reading the newspaper or magazines

Other Tips for a Successful Teachable Moment

  • Use a warm and welcoming tone of voice.
  • Show interest in what the child has to say.
  • Stay calm and avoid reacting with anger or by making assumptions.
  • Answer any questions openly and honestly.
  • Keep trying. If a conversation doesn’t go as well as you hoped, don’t be afraid to revisit and try again. The more you practice, the more naturally it will come.

Hey, What Do I Say?

Download our parent-to-parent guide on how to talk  to children about sexuality.

Download Guide

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