A Child Counselor's Guide to Help Parents Discuss Sex in Developmentally Appropriate Ways With Children Ages 3 to 9. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dillman Taylor, Dalena; Munyon, Matthew D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of child and adolescent counseling. Volume 2:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: children -- consultation -- counseling -- development -- sexual development; Child psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Children -- Counseling of -- Periodicals; Teenagers -- Counseling of -- Periodicals; 618.928914
• DOI: 10.1080/23727810.2016.1160313
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2372-7810

Abstract

Abstract : Discussion about children's sexuality appears taboo. Little research has been conducted on the development of sexuality in childhood. Parents find themselves at a loss regarding what to say when children begin asking questions about sex. In this article we provide a guide for mental health professionals to help parents understand typical sexual development for children as well as discuss developmental changes with their children in a developmentally appropriate manner. We introduce the BEGIN model of parental assessment and potential intervention. We discuss implications for mental health professionals and future research avenues for child counseling, parent consultations, and parent psychoeducational groups.