Listen and Talk Openly with Our Children

It is my belief we should begin educating our children as early as elementary school regarding abstinence plus. However, it should be taught on a level that is appropriate for elementary school students. As in health care, we may begin with primary preventative sexual education. For if we pretend our children are unaware of sex and sexuality, we may have surprises of our own. This may be achieved by expressing to children their bodies are not to be hurt or violated by any person, whether he or she be young or old, friends or family members. We may begin by teaching them the difference between acceptable touches and inappropriate touch. Children may need to be reminded the difference between keeping secrets that are appropriate and inappropriate. Children should be educated about stranger danger and the proper procedures to protect themselves if such situations occur. Enforcing a buddy system for elementary school children may also assist children safety in the hall ways and other places during elementary school. Encourage children to speak openly with their parents, teachers and friends about issues that may plague their thoughts. This may be achieved by having weekly discussions with elementary students regarding topics of concerns or any topic they may find interesting. The assistance may help at risk children reduce the burden of abuse which takes its toll on children who become adults who have survived abuse.
During the middle school years, maturation classes should be offered to students with parents' permission to ensure children are receiving the most current and accurate information regarding abstinence plus. Health educators may need to develop thick skin regarding sexual activity and abstinence. With more information available to students than every before, gaining their attention and respect with accurate and correct information may reduce the number of at risk children. The material taught needs to be age and gender appropriate. Provide additional counseling in smaller groups to encourage open communication among students. Perhaps dividing the students into groups according to gender may produce positive feedback among students. If students are shy or frightened to communicate with health educators, software companies should create software that may be downloaded at the school's computers so middle school students may view the material in a classroom designated for the abstinence plus class privately; which if viewed privately may reduce embarrassment on such a sensitive topic. Middle school students may then use their students IDs to ask questions privately by typing questions to be answered by counselors and health educators without feeling insecure and receive answers via their student identification numbers.
During the high school years, students should be educated as middle school students; however, more in-dept information should be presented to students regarding gender and orientation along with abstinence plus. Health educators should have the most current and accurate information to present to students with respect to their age. Having an open door policy to students who may need individual counseling regarding abstinence plus may increase communication among students. Preparing students for adulthood is not simply the health educators job but the parents'as well. Getting parents involved with such issues may enhance the communication between high school students and their parents. In the end, we hope and pray the students choose wisely.