People who work with children need an understanding of sexual development from birth on. Knowing the facts is only part of it. Sexual development is part of social and emotional development, self-concept and self-esteem. Understanding this assists adults in responding to children’s behaviour, and in their interactions with children. It is these early interactions that lay the foundation for future health and wellbeing. Children are sexual beings from birth so we need to understand what we might expect from children, what might be happening if sexual development seems out of step with other children, and how our own behaviour and responses are guiding children. This is an area which adults often feel uncomfortable to discuss and unsure of what is appropriate to say or do. This session discusses these dilemmas, and offer some suggestions.
Pam Linke is a social worker who has also studied early childhood education. She has many years of experience working with children and staff in early childhood services including in the area of children’s sexual development. She has written articles and a book on this topic and has been an invited presenter on this at major early childhood conferences. She was also instrumental in the making of a short film on children’s sexual development by the SA Government.