Find more answers here!

Talking with children about sexual health can feel uncomfortable for many parents and caregivers. There may be questions about when to start, what to say or how much information is appropriate. But these conversations do not have to begin with sex. They can start much earlier with simple conversations about bodies, boundaries, privacy, healthy relationships and trusted adults.

With school back in session, the topic may also be coming up for families as students have opportunities to participate in sexual health education, including the Washoe County School District’s Sexuality, Health and Responsibility Education (SHARE) program. Rather than thinking about one big, uncomfortable “talk,” parents can think about sexual health as an ongoing conversation that changes as children grow.

When should parents start talking about sexual health?

Earlier than many parents might think. Sexual health is about much more than sex. For young children, these conversations may simply mean learning the correct names for body parts, understanding privacy and boundaries, and knowing they can come to a trusted adult when something makes them uncomfortable or they have a question.

As children grow, those conversations can grow with them to include puberty, healthy relationships, consent and, eventually, topics such as contraception and sexually transmitted infections.

Doesn't talking about sex encourage kids to have sex?

Providing accurate information does not mean encouraging a particular behavior. Parents can communicate their family's values and expectations while also making sure their children have accurate, age-appropriate health information.

Children and teenagers are also exposed to information from friends, social media, television and the internet. Creating an open dialogue at home gives parents an opportunity to become a trusted source rather than leaving children to sort through that information on their own.

What if a child asks something a parent isn't prepared to answer?

Parents do not need to have the perfect response. A good place to start is with curiosity: “That’s a good question. What have you already heard about that?”

This gives parents a chance to understand what their child is really asking and what they already know. It is also okay to say, “I don’t know, but we can find out together.”

What role should schools and healthcare providers play?

Schools, healthcare providers and families can each play a different role in sexual health education. Schools can provide structured education, healthcare providers can answer individual health questions, and parents and caregivers can continue conversations at home while sharing their family's values. The goal is not one perfect “talk.” It is creating enough small conversations along the way that children know where they can turn when they have bigger questions.

Talking about sexual health may never feel completely comfortable, and that is okay. Parents do not need to be experts or have every answer. When questions come up, evidence-based resources and trusted healthcare professionals can help parents find accurate, age-appropriate information and guide conversations at home. What matters most is being willing to listen, learn alongside your child and keep the conversation going.

Resources for parents and caregivers

American Academy of Pediatrics: HealthyChildren.org

Guidance for parents on when and how to talk with children about sexual health, including age-appropriate conversations as children grow. Learn when and how to talk with your child about sex.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Youth Parent Resources

Evidence-based information and practical tips for talking with teens about sex, relationships, contraception, sexually transmitted infections and other sexual health topics. Learn about talking with your teens about sex.

Washoe County School District: S.H.A.R.E.

Families with students in WCSD can learn more about the Sexuality, Health and Responsibility Education (SHARE) program and review curriculum information by grade level. The district also offers SHARE resources specifically for families to help continue conversations at home. Review the WCSD SHARE program and curriculum and explore SHARE resources for families.

About the professor

Andrea Thompson, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C, is a Lecturer II at the Orvis School of Nursing and a dual-certified family and psychiatric nurse practitioner. Her clinical experience includes more than a decade of caring for individuals and families across primary care and mental health settings, including several years in rural family practice.

Thompson has served on the Washoe County School District Sexuality, Health and Responsibility Education (S.H.A.R.E.) Advisory Committee since 2019, contributing her healthcare perspective to discussions surrounding sexual health education. As a mother of four, she is passionate about helping families access accurate health information and build open, age-appropriate conversations with their children.