Ask Me Anything – Resources for Parents

You should begin talking to your child about sexual health early and often, starting as young as toddler age (2–3 years old). These early conversations should focus on simple, age-appropriate topics like naming body parts accurately, understanding body boundaries, and learning about safe and unsafe touch. As your child grows, the conversations should evolve with their developmental stage, gradually including topics like puberty, relationships, identity, consent, and decision-making. Open, ongoing communication helps normalize sexual health and ensures your child feels safe coming to you with questions as they grow.

You don’t need to be perfect — what matters most is being present, honest, and open to learning alongside your child. It’s completely normal for parents to feel unsure or make mistakes when talking about sexual health. What’s important is to keep the conversation going, admit when you don’t know something, and come back to it later with more information. Children benefit from seeing that adults can talk about these topics respectfully, even when it’s awkward. These moments build trust and show your child it’s okay to ask questions and be curious.

What’s appropriate depends on your child’s developmental stage, not just their age. In general:

Ages 0–5: Teach correct names for body parts, body privacy, and safe vs. unsafe touch.

Ages 6–8: Reinforce consent, introduce concepts like respect, family values, and answer body-related questions honestly.

Ages 9–12: Discuss puberty, body image, emotional changes, friendships, digital safety, and identity.

Ages 13–17: Talk openly about sexual health, relationships, boundaries, gender identity, consent, contraception, and online risks.

Many Canadian organizations offer age-by-age guides to help you stay informed and confident.

The key is to talk about consent and boundaries early, simply, and often — using everyday situations to normalize the concepts. Start by teaching young children that they have control over their own bodies (e.g., it’s okay to say “no” to hugs) and that they must also respect others’ boundaries. As they grow, explain that consent means asking for and receiving permission — not just in sexual contexts, but also with things like borrowing a toy or entering someone’s room. Frame the conversation positively, focusing on kindness, respect, and personal space rather than fear or danger. This builds body confidence, assertiveness, and safety without shame.

If your child shares that they identify as LGBTQ+ or starts asking about gender identity, the most important thing you can do is listen without judgment and show unconditional support. Affirming their identity helps build trust, emotional well-being, and resilience — even if you’re still learning yourself. Let them know it’s okay to ask questions and explore who they are. You don’t have to have all the answers right away — being open, curious, and respectful speaks volumes. Use inclusive language, seek out credible resources together, and avoid pressuring them to label themselves too quickly.