should proper names be used to teach children about private areas?

Question

my fiance and i are disagreeing about what we should teach our 5 year old about there private areas. he feels we should only call them private areas. i feel that he should know the correct terminology and should not be ashamed of what he has. he is afraid of using this vocabulary in school. i feel there is nothing inappropriate about knowing what he has as long as it is not used in a sexual manner. any advice anyone?

Answer 1

Teach them the proper name, they will learn the other names for it on their own soon enough...



Hopefully, they don't decide to start saying them really loud in the middle of church...

Answer 2

My mother did this with me and quickly regretted it when i asked an old lady on a bus full of people if she had a penis or a vagina...I can only imagine the embarrassment. However, I think it the long run it is beneficial to teach children the correct terminology.

Answer 3

It is best to teach children appropriate names, functions and tell the truth.

Teach only what the child is able to understand, therefore teach according to age and ALWAYS answer their questions truthfully.

Along with the answers and teaching, you must always advise them that these conversations are for family only and should remain private. When they slip up --and they will, you quietly remind them that this is a private family conversation, and casually switch their attention to something else.

Answer 4

Use the correct terms.



It really isn't going to be any less embarrassing if your child decides to loudly discuss the differences between "boy private areas" and "girl private areas" than if they start talking about penises and vaginas.

Answer 5

I think you should teach him what you are comfortable with, otherwise he can going to feel that he should be ashamed whenever he refers to his privates. If you are comfortable teaching him the proper word, which I personally feel is best, then teach him that.



Good Luck

Answer 6

There is nothing wrong with using the proper name. There are a lot worse words they will say and hear in school.

Answer 7

You can easily explain to a 5yo that he has a penis. That is about all that needs to be said...unless he has other questions. My boys know Mommy has "boobies" and "girl parts." They will hear all sorts of stuff from other kids, but it's usually not a big deal. Just use it as an opportunity to reinforce YOUR family values and rules about that kind of talk.

Good luck!

Answer 8

my teacher said you should always teach them the right words, but my family don't. It just sounds nicer to use other words in my opinion. but really it is up to the parents.

Answer 9

Personally, I wouldn't teach them the proper names just yet. I think it sounds "wrong" for a five year old to say he has a penis. It would be more appropriate for him to say his "willy", "peter", "privates", or even "pee pee".

Answer 10

Use whatever words are used in your area, but make sure they also know the proper names.



"That's your willy, but it's proper name's a penis"