It's not uncommon for young children to ask questions about pregnancy and the birth of babies, and the presence of a pregnant woman or baby is enough to fuel that curiosity. For adults, the question "where do babies come from" can spark uncertainty and apprehension, and the question of pregnancy embraces sensitive topics, many of which seem beyond the reach of children. Fortunately, it is possible to answer questions about sexuality and reproduction in an appropriate way according to age, satisfying the curiosity of children. Follow these guidelines to find out how.
Steps
Step 1. Find out exactly what the child wants to know
Questions about pregnancy do not always require detailed answers on the reproductive system of men and women and / or conception and childbirth, especially when the child is very young. To provide answers that are in line with what the child really wants to know, carefully evaluate the intent behind the question before proceeding.
- Answer a question with another question. For example, you can answer the question "where do children come from?" asking, "where do you think they come from?"
- Calibrate the child's input to identify the type of information they are really looking for. For example, if he gives an answer like, "I think children are from Heaven," then he just wants confirmation of his beliefs. But a response like "my friend said a man and a woman have a baby" requires more analytical arguments.
- Make sure you understand the kind of pregnancy responses your baby is looking for. For example, say something like "are you asking me how a child a man and a woman do?" Before proceeding with the explanation.
Step 2. Familiarize yourself with the child's development in relation to sexuality
That way you won't be shocked at how much your baby knows about sexuality and reproduction. For example, it may be useful to know that children at the age of 3 or 4 explore their genitals and are aware of the differences between their genitals and those of the opposite sex.
Step 3. Provide pregnancy answers that are age-appropriate
Although babies have different growth and maturation times, you can use these general guidelines as a starting point for addressing questions about pregnancy and childbirth, and then enrich them with additional information, depending on the situation.
- Young children want simple answers rather than detailed explanations. For example, when a 3-year-old asks how babies get out, you can start by saying they get pulled out by the doctor. This may be the only information he wants and needs at that age.
- School-age children question you more specifically. Always start with a simplistic explanation before moving on to more complex descriptions. For example, you could say that a man and a woman conceive a child by mating in a certain way, then wait for a further request, before explaining the mechanisms of fertilization.
Step 4. Evaluate the child's responses to make sure they understand and feel comfortable
The best way to check if the explanation is suitable for his degree of maturity and knowledge is to observe his reactions. If the baby is chuckling, grimacing, or turning around, then you may be giving too much guidance, but if the baby is nodding his head and looking at you for more news, then you should continue with more detailed pregnancy answers.
Advice
- Use scientific names to refer to the genitals and organs of reproduction, to avoid unnecessary taboos about body parts and their functions.
- Make speeches simple and realistic so that the children feel comfortable asking questions and trying to deepen their knowledge.
- Anatomically correct dolls are a great way to introduce children to basic anatomy concepts, and to encourage an open minded attitude towards questions about biological functions.
Warnings
- Avoid providing false information such as "the babies are brought by the stork" as they can induce a certain mistrust, contraindicated for the purpose of effective and constructive communication.
- Remember that reproduction is part of life, and if you take a disgusted attitude when children turn to you for advice, they may turn to less trusted sources.
