Learn More About Sexuality Education and Inclusion for Kids
The Impacts of Gender and Sexuality Education.
Learning more about elementary-aged gender and sexuality education:
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Sexuality is an umbrella term that includes healthy relationships, emotions, the human body, identity, self-esteem, beliefs about the self and others, diversity, romantic feelings, desire, and personal boundaries.
Sexuality Education involves age-appropriate conversations about some of these topics, and provides children with life-affirming narratives as they grow.
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The majority of Canadian provinces and territories fail to meet Canadian (SIECCAN, 2019) and international (UNESCO 2018) standards for Comprehensive Sexuality Education.
Outdated curricula do not reflect the lived realities of most young people and many crucial materials are viewed as optional.
Without professional development, some educators and community leaders are left unprepared to respond to contemporary conversations surrounding gender identity, sexual orientation and sex-positive ideologies. Consequently, teachable moments and opportunities to share life-affirming narratives that promote belonging are missed.
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Evidence-Based Outcomes of Elementary Sexuality Education:
Prevent sexual abuse and gender-based violence
Improve self-advocacy skills, self-esteem, healthy personal boundaries and informed decision-making across the life course
Lead to a 5 times reduction of STI’s and unwanted pregnancies
Increase communication with parents and other trusted adults
Create inclusive perceptions about peer groups and social norms
Enhance physical health, emotional well-being and academic success
Reduce anxiety, depression, and rates of suicidality for LGBTQ+ students
Respond to human rights initiatives
(Balter et al., 2021, Cacciatore et al., 2020)
Interested in learning more about the state of sex education in Canada?
Click here to view Action Canada’s 2020 comprehensive report created in partnership with the Government of Canada.
Benefits of Early Gender & Sexuality Education.
We provide foundational skills that will become key components of future sexual and personal wellness, such as consent, healthy relationships and establishing shame-free narratives about body parts.
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Children can be set up for present and future well-being by introducing concepts that will become pillars of wellness and safety as students grow.
For example, learning about consent and boundaries between friends can later be translated into romantic relationships.
Scaffolding foundational knowledge and skills with age-appropriate content fosters future healthy sexuality, decision-making, and well-being across the life course.
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Children develop a personal sense of gender identity and express curiosity about their bodies and the experiences of others from the earliest of ages.
If children are only presented with stereotypical ways of being, they may become ashamed of the parts of themselves that are not represented or acknowledged.
It is important to take opportunities to ensure children feel accepted and celebrated.
For example, students can learn that it is okay to have two mums or be a boy who likes the colour pink.
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If we do not provide age appropriate answers to questions about bodies and gender, kids may look to the internet, media, older siblings, or rumours they hear on the playground for answers that may be misleading, or harmful.
Avoiding such questions can teach children that the topics are shameful, bad, or something to be hidden.
It is necessary to offer children accurate, shame-free, developmentally appropriate answers to their naturally occurring questions.
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Gender norms, roles, and stereotypes are learned, and perpetuated in schools.
We can teach children about harmful gender stereotypes (i.e.girls are sweet, like pink and play with dolls, boys don’t cry, should be strong and are good at math) early on to prevent bullying, promote peer acceptance, and redirect harmful narratives before they solidify.
Looking for more research-grounded information on kids and gender?
Free to Be: Understanding Kids and Gender Identity
Jack Turban, MD
‘Free to Be is a comprehensive deep dive by internationally renowned child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Jack Turban into the science, medicine, and politics of gender identity. You will be immersed in the lives of three trans and gender diverse youth—Meredith, Kyle, and Sam—as they navigate their gender identities, make decisions around gender-affirming medical and psychological care, and confront an overwhelming political and social terrain.’
*Copies available in the Montreal Public Library Network
Diversity is a Fact, Inclusion is a Choice
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Diversity is a Fact, Inclusion is a Choice •
Egale 2021 National Climate Survey on Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia in Canadian Schools
“In total, over 4000 individuals in Grade 8 or higher across Canada participated in the survey. Approximately 39% of these students identified as 2SLGBTQ.” You can find the complete survey here.
“2SLGBTQ students need educators to explicitly and visibly support, respect, include, and validate them – all of which is exactly what every student in every school wants and is entitled to expect”
- consensus amoung 2SLGBTQ students who participated in this survey
Compared to 2SLGBTQIA+ students with no supportive school staff, students with many (11 or more) supportive staff at their school:
Were less likely to feel unsafe because of their sexual orientation
Less likely to feel unsafe because of their gender expression
Were less likely to miss school because they felt unsafe
Had higher GPA’s
Were less likely to say they might not graduate high school and more likely to
plan on pursuing post-secondary education
Felt greater belonging to their school community
(Kosciw, 2018)
Check out this Sexuality Education Technical Guidance Report commissioned by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
*Section 5 highlights advised learning outcomes for ages 5-12.
“We are committed to supporting countries to apply the Guidance, and hope that teachers, health educators, youth development professionals, sexual and reproductive health advocates and youth leaders – among others – will use this resource to help countries to realize young people’s right to education, health and well-being, and to achieve an inclusive and gender equal society.”
Professional Development for Community Leaders, and Staff on 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion has Profound Impacts:
Complements holistic development for all
Supplements social justice initiatives, creating equitable spaces and opportunities
Improves achievement, meaningful engagement, attendance and overall success
Increased sense of safety and belonging at work
Fosters a culture of respect, empathy and allyship
Enhances curriculum and programming with diverse perspectives and experiences
Request a Workshop Today!
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If you are interested in our workshops, fill out our workshop inquiry form to introduce us to your needs, and inclusive vision. We will review your inquiry and provide a quote for our services.
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Next, we will develop a personalized proposal for you to review.
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Receive a dynamic, in-person workshop, and walk away with evidence-based knowledge, skills, and resources to actualize your inclusion vision.
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Fill out a Workshop Inquiry form today and take a step towards becoming a leader in inclusive education initiatives!
Send us a Question.
Do you have any questions or comments?
Whether it’s about gender and sexuality education, an inquiry about inclusive resources for kids, interest in joining our team, directions to contemporary research, or to see if You Belong is right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out.