Sex education and child safety are confusing topics,more for parents than for children,primarily because many of us do not know as to “when” to start it “ .Parents are bothered by common questions such as :”How awkward would it be” when to start ,”how not to distort things ,How do I know what is the right answer,how much to say, what not to …….and the list goes on. 

The essence of understanding of how to teach safe touch and unsafe touch to a child,goes much beyond just the concept of safe and unsafe touch itself, it is important to have a proper understanding of the broader concept. 

When to start: As early as the first words we start with naming body parts by their true name rather than alternative colloquial short forms.Distortions are born out of our own embarrassment to call private parts by their proper name or name at all. Its easy to ask a child to name ears,eyes,hands and legs but as soon as we teach the “butt”,”vagina”or breast- we tend to get uncomfortable to discuss it with our children.In turn we teach them to be embarrassed about their body. Instead ,when we teach a child to think of their private parts without the child to be comfortable and one with own body and not to deny sensations regarding this parts. 

How to address awkward questions: Every parent faces questions from children that might seem awkward.The best strategy is to keep a straight face and give an age apporopriate realistic answer.Its ok to feel awkward ,so,reasure yourself as a parent. 

How not to distort : The answer to this one is linked to the above two.The best means is to equip the child with skills for identifying own safety and learning to a say a “no” or seek help when uncomfortable.when as parents ,we pass confusing messages because we are unsure,the child learns to hide even issues from “self”.