Sex education is a crucial aspect of a child's development, yet it's often overlooked or avoided in many households. Providing young people with accurate information about their bodies, relationships, and sexuality is essential for their well-being and safety. As we celebrate Sex Ed For All month, it's the perfect time for parents and caregivers to equip themselves with resources that can facilitate meaningful conversations with their children about these topics. For children and teens at every stage of life, there are resources available to help navigate these discussions in an age-appropriate and inclusive manner.
Elementary School Students
Every Body: A First Conversation about Bodies, by Magan Madison and Jessica Ralli
This book serves as an excellent introduction to the concept of bodies, promoting body positivity and inclusivity from an early age.
Can I Give You a Squish?, by Emily Neilson
Through adorable illustrations and simple language, this book teaches children about consent and personal boundaries.
An Exceptional Children’s Guide to Touch: Teaching Social and Physical Boundaries to Kids, by McKinley Hunter Manasco
A valuable resource for teaching children about appropriate touch and respecting personal boundaries.
What Makes a Baby, by Cory Silverberg
This book celebrates diversity in families and teaches children about reproduction in an inclusive and age-appropriate way.
Playing with Pronouns Card Deck
An interactive tool to help children understand and practice using different pronouns, promoting inclusivity and respect for gender diversity.
AmazeJr.
An online platform offering engaging videos on various topics related to sex education for young children, making learning fun and accessible.
Middle School Students
The Book of Radical Answers: Real Questions from Real Kids Just Like You, by Sonya Renee Taylor
This book addresses real questions about bodies, relationships, and identity, providing honest and empowering answers for pre-teens.
The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families, by Rachel E. Simon
An inclusive guide that covers a wide range of topics related to sex, gender, and identity, promoting acceptance and understanding.
It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, Gender, and Sexual Health, by Robie Harris
A comprehensive resource that covers puberty, reproduction, and sexual health in an age-appropriate and inclusive manner.
Period Game
An educational game that helps demystify menstruation and promotes understanding and empathy among pre-teens.
High School Students
Real Talk about Sex and Consent: What Every Teen Needs to Know, by Cheryl Bradshaw
This book provides essential information about consent, healthy relationships, and sexual health for teenagers, empowering them to make informed choices.
Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human, by Erika Moen
A candid and comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of sex, relationships, and identity during the teenage years.
The Pride Guide: A Guide to Sexual and Social Health for LGBTQ Youth, by Jo Langford
An invaluable resource for LGBTQ+ teenagers, offering information and support on sexual health, identity, and relationships.
Trans+: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You, by Kathyrn Gonzalez and Dr. Karen Rayne.
This book provides transgender and non-binary teenagers with affirming and inclusive information about love, sex, and identity.
Sex Ed on the Cards
Sex Ed on the Cards is a fun, factual and LGBTQ+ inclusive resource for delivering effective and engaging relationships and sex education (RSE) to students.
Any/All Ages
Giant Microbes
Plush toys representing microbes and body parts, which can be used as educational tools to teach children about anatomy and health in a fun and engaging way.
Sex Positive Families
A resource hub offering blogs, articles, and books to support parents and caregivers in raising sexually healthy and informed children.
Amaze
An online platform offering videos and resources for young people, parents, and educators, covering a wide range of topics related to sex education.
Sex Ed To-Go
Free online courses from Planned Parenthood Pacific Southwest, ideal for parents and educators seeking comprehensive sex education resources.
Advocates for Youth
A website offering a free K-12 curriculum called 3Rs, as well as resources available in multiple languages to support inclusive and comprehensive sex education.
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By utilizing these resources, parents and caregivers can foster open, honest, and informed conversations about sex, bodies, and relationships with their children, laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy attitudes and behaviors. Sex education is not a one-time conversation, it requires an ongoing dialogue that evolves as young people grow and develop. This Sex Ed for All Month let’s empower ourselves and other parents and caregivers to embrace this journey with confidence and compassion, ensuring that all young people have access to the knowledge and support they need to navigate their sexual health and relationships safely and with confidence.
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