As children grow, their curiosity about bodies, identity, and relationships deepens. These conversations aren’t one-time “talks” — they’re ongoing opportunities to nurture confidence, safety, and respect.
In Seattle Public Schools, sexual health education begins late, typically with a brief puberty unit in the spring of 5th grade. By then, many children have already entered puberty, leaving families as the most important and consistent source of information and support. These conversations should start early and continue at each stage, building comfort and trust as your child grows. To learn more or preview the FLASH curriculum, visit Seattle Public Schools Health Education.
Below are inclusive, developmentally attuned resources to help you keep those conversations going:
Early Childhood (Ages 0–6)
Focus on body awareness, privacy, and using accurate, respectful language for all body parts.
What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg — An inclusive, age-appropriate explanation of where babies come from, written for every kind of family.
Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder — A joyful celebration of body diversity and self-acceptance.
The Bare Naked Book by Kathy Stinson — A playful, body-positive classic celebrating every body part, now updated to include all genders, sizes, and abilities.
AMAZE Jr. — Short, playful videos about bodies, families, and boundaries.
Middle Childhood (Ages 7–11)
Begin conversations about growing bodies, emotions, and healthy friendships—long before school-based lessons begin.
Sex Is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg — An engaging, inclusive guide that helps kids understand curiosity, identity, and respect.
Everybody by Elise Gravel — LGBTQIA affirming language about bodies, feelings, and self-worth.
Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!) by Sonya Renee Taylor — An empowering and inclusive puberty guide for girls ages 8–12.
The Care and Keeping of You (Book 1) — American Girl’s updated, body-positive guides for puberty and self-care for younger girls.
The Care and Keeping of You (Books 2) — American Girl’s updated, body-positive guides for puberty and self-care for older girls.
Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys — Approachable and inclusive guide for boys and nonbinary kids.
The Chat at Seattle Children’s — Free, interactive workshops that help parents and kids talk about puberty, consent, and healthy relationships together.
Planned Parenthood: Parents’ Guides by Age — Practical talking tips and age-appropriate examples.
Tweens & Teens (Ages 12+)
Support autonomy, identity exploration, and healthy relationships. By adolescence, many young people turn to peers or online sources for information — research shows that most teens learn about sex from friends or pornography, which can leave big gaps around consent, emotional connection, and safety.
Offering accurate, values-based information at home helps counter misinformation and supports thoughtful decision-making.
You Know, Sex by Cory Silverberg — Inclusive, affirming, and honest about relationships, consent, and growing up.
Everybody by Elise Gravel — Continues to offer grounding, affirming language about bodies, gender, and self-understanding for older kids and teens.
Scarleteen — A leading, research-informed site offering compassionate, accurate answers about sex, relationships, and identity.
Gender Spectrum — Tools for families supporting gender-expansive youth.
Tip: One of the best things you can do is simply make these books visible in your home. When they’re accessible, kids know the topic is safe to explore — and the conversation stays open.
Conclusion
Remember: You don’t have to have all the answers — your openness and calm presence matter most. Start early, stay curious, and keep the conversation growing right alongside your child.
If you’d like more support in putting these ideas into practice, our Parent Support and Coaching services can help. We work with parents to build confidence, language, and strategies for navigating topics like body development, identity, and sexual education — so you can feel supported at every stage of your child’s development.
