Consent

Consent is something that can and should be discussed and learned from birth. This might look, sound, or feel different than consent education later on, but it lays a crucial foundation.

When changing a baby’s diaper, you can verbally tell the baby what you’re doing and why you’re doing it (to keep them clean and comfortable, but also healthy and safe). When dressing a baby or toddler you can also verbalize what and who can touch them and why (parents/caregivers and medical providers, but not strangers or others). When teaching a baby/toddler their body parts, making sure they know the anatomical names for all body parts—not just their fingers and toes—is crucial information that can reduce the risk of abuse as they get older.

This is also an excellent time to talk to family and friends about asking before hugging your child. Allowing your toddler and preschooler the autonomy and practice of hearing people ask before hugging them will set them up later in life to know they can and should expect people to ask before touching them (even and especially beloved grandparents).

Click on the book cover image to go to a link with details and to purchase each book. You can also check your local library for titles.

C is for Consent

By Eleanor Morrison, Faye Orlove

Yes! No! A First Conversation About Consent

By Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Anne/Andy Passchier

More than Fluff

By Madeline Valentine

This is where our 1st/2nd OWL, 4th grade puberty camp, and 6th grade OWL can really help both you and your child have language and understanding to learn together how to have conversations about consent.

We start with learning about asking before touching: “Can I touch your hair?” “Can I give you a hug?” Questions like this can be practiced with siblings, pets, and friends. Pets are the best consent educators!  They can help children learn that consent can be communicated without saying “no.” This is also a great time for kids to learn how to say “no.”  While parents and caregivers might find it hard to believe that their feisty child has a hard time saying “no,” saying “no” to friends is much different and more difficult than saying “no” to a safe grownup in their lives.

If you have not already done so, continue the practice of asking family and friends about asking before hugging your child. A 6-year-old who loved giving and receiving hugs may turn into an 11-year-old tween who is no longer comfortable with that touch. Reminding both kids and adults that consent must be reversible is key foundational knowledge.

Click on the book cover image to go to a link with details and to purchase each book. You can also check your local library for titles.

Will Ladybug Hug?

By Hilary Leung

Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect

By Jayneen Sanders and Sarah Jennings

This is where our 6th grade OWL, 8th/9th grade OWL, and Senior High OWL can really help continue the consent conversations!

In this age group we continue the foundational knowledge and conversations about consent generally, while shining a new light on what it means to engage in  consensual sexual and/or romantic relationships.

We want to delve into the nuance of what consent means when things are not clear: when there is an age-gap relationship or a power differential in the relationship, when one or more partner is under the influence of a substance, what verbal and non-verbal cues and indicators partners should consider, what cultural, gender, and racial norms or expectations might exist between partners, and how to practice saying no to friends, family, and partners.

This is where our adult OWL programming shines! Our adult OWL curriculum includes information for adults of ALL ages, from the recent high school graduate to the centenarian. Consent education is ongoing and needed for adults.

Maybe you received amazing sexuality education as a youth. Maybe you learned on your own. Maybe you had good experiences, maybe you had bad experiences. No matter what your background is, you can always learn new and more things.

Whether you’re a young adult and this is the first time you’re living on your own in a different state/city/country from your family, or if the love of your life for the last 60 years just passed, or even if you’re just looking to grow and learn, consent education is important to know!