This is a sex education programme for schools. The school prgramme, is part of a larger project called the Body Literacy Project where children, teachers and parents explore
* what we are, how we came to be,
* how our bodies function
* all that is essential to lead a healthy life, physically, emotionally and socially.
It rests on the premise that an understanding of body and mind should be approached both biologically and socially. An understanding that our bodies share more similarities than differences would promote a greater sense of equality and a rational way of thinking. Media images and stereotypes put on young children strong pressures. Differences are socially constructed. So are the images related to the body.
Ignorance is seen with the internal as well as reproductive and sexual parts of the body. These may result in great sense of confusion in all, and especially among children in puberty ages, or for those wishing to prevent/or those who may wish for pregnancy, or even in women in menopausal ages. 'Body Literacy’ here attempts to fill the gap in knowledge and practice by encouraging a ‘friendship’ with and an understanding of one’s own body. Within our curriculum we bring the discussion of diverse sexual expression including homosexuality. While sexuality and everything that influences healthy sexuality, such as gender and power is at the core of our school programme, we also deal with body in its totality.
Child Harassment and Abuse are also complex areas. How do we equip children to say 'no'? How do we teach girls that when they say 'yes' it should be on their own terms - not to please someone else? We work towards de-linking in boys the image that aggression and violence, or vigour and power mean real men. Through our school outreach programmes, through movies, cartoons and discussions children are made aware of the difference between good touch and bad touch. We also have sessions with parents and teachers on child sexual abuse.
The very term ' Body Literacy' makes the sessions more acceptable to parents, teachers and children. And this is important, as the gender sessions simultaneously work as rapport building sessions. "This is dirty", and "we do not want to talk about this" are some of the children's reactions and we build up our discussions from these.
* what we are, how we came to be,
* how our bodies function
* all that is essential to lead a healthy life, physically, emotionally and socially.
It rests on the premise that an understanding of body and mind should be approached both biologically and socially. An understanding that our bodies share more similarities than differences would promote a greater sense of equality and a rational way of thinking. Media images and stereotypes put on young children strong pressures. Differences are socially constructed. So are the images related to the body.
Ignorance is seen with the internal as well as reproductive and sexual parts of the body. These may result in great sense of confusion in all, and especially among children in puberty ages, or for those wishing to prevent/or those who may wish for pregnancy, or even in women in menopausal ages. 'Body Literacy’ here attempts to fill the gap in knowledge and practice by encouraging a ‘friendship’ with and an understanding of one’s own body. Within our curriculum we bring the discussion of diverse sexual expression including homosexuality. While sexuality and everything that influences healthy sexuality, such as gender and power is at the core of our school programme, we also deal with body in its totality.
Child Harassment and Abuse are also complex areas. How do we equip children to say 'no'? How do we teach girls that when they say 'yes' it should be on their own terms - not to please someone else? We work towards de-linking in boys the image that aggression and violence, or vigour and power mean real men. Through our school outreach programmes, through movies, cartoons and discussions children are made aware of the difference between good touch and bad touch. We also have sessions with parents and teachers on child sexual abuse.
