5th grade puberty class

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2011

I would be careful about being too open or honest. Had a 6th grade teacher asked "how to men have sex with men" answer openly and honestly with "oral and anal sex" I was just waiting for the floodgates of outraged parents. Stick to the cirriculum (never can spell that work right) - our's goes through the "sensitive materials committee" and you should be ok.

rn/writer, RN · Mar 16, 2011

It's great that the kids are going to be told what's happening to them, but I think it's important that each sex be given information about what the "other side" is going through as well. After all, they're curious about both kinds of bodies. They can still be taught separately, but covering only their own maturation is just half the picture.

If you're going to talk about relationships, I suggest you talk about some of the lines people use to pressure another person into having sex (and that includes girls pressuring boys). Help the kids come up with some answers ahead of time. And, please, stress to both groups that sometimes boys feel pressure to act all tough and go after the girls, like something is wrong with them if they don't want to rush in to things. Yes, they're often revved up on the inside, but that doesn't mean they feel ready to move forward.

Everyone needs permission to "not do it." They don't have to hook up to prove anything or to matter.