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Sex educator offers workshops for parents
Shiloh-Sixth Avenue church hosts sessions on sexual health
By Theresa McManus
Record Reporter
Shiloh-Sixth Avenue United Church wants to engage the community in a discussion about sex.
The church is hosting a workshop series that tackles the issue of children and sex or, more importantly, their sexual health.
Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, educators and others who spend time with children are invited to attend the Jan. 24 and 31 workshops that are being led by Meg Hickling.
"We wanted to offer conversations about sexual health to our parents in our church," said Paula Jeffery, children and youth minister at Shiloh-Sixth Avenue United Church.
"At Shiloh, we do a lot of work with the community. We wanted to offer parents a chance to hear her."
The workshops, Let's Talk about Sex!, will feature Hickling, who has spoken to thousands of parents and students from preschools to universities.
She has received various awards and honours for her work in educating people about the importance of a continuing dialogue about sexual health with children, including the Order of B.C. in 1997, the Canadian Home and School Federation Health Award in 1999, and the Order of Canada in 2001.
"She is a really fabulous person to have a conversation with about this topic," Jeffery said.
According to Jeffery, Hickling is passionate about ensuring children are well informed about their sexual health.
"As children and youth, they make better decisions around their sexual health when they are informed. We keep them safer," she said. "Sex isn't a bad word. It is part of our life."
The workshop series kicks off on Jan. 24 with a two-hour workshop for parents, grandparents, teachers and other adults who care for children from preschool through adolescence.
Because a lot has changed since caregivers were children, the workshop will help prepare them to be ready and able to respond to any questions children might ask, remain calm, use science and teach their own moral values.
The Jan. 31 workshops are for families and are health- and science-oriented.
They are designed to give the whole family a common base of knowledge that will encourage discussion and ongoing dialogue at home.
Jeffery said Hickling will present information that is age-appropriate for children attending the workshops.
"According to their age, she will have different things she will share with them in a different way," said Jeffery, noting Hickling has written about age-appropriate discussions concerning sexual health in her books.
"She really emphasizes that the dialogue and the communication has to happen with parents and adult caregivers. She engages children in that way."
While sex and sexual health may be an uncomfortable topic for some parents, Hickling presents the information in a comfortable way.
"She is lighthearted," Jeffery said. "She is serious about her topic and committed to giving information out. She expresses it with humour."
A primary session, being held from 6:30 to 7:15 pm., is for five- to eight-year-olds and their adult caregivers.
An introduction to sexual health, this session will include learning the scientific names for genitals and the reproductive systems, how they work, how to take care of one's self, an explanation of pregnancy and birth, and a brief explanation of puberty - all with the intention of helping children to feel comfortable about their bodies and about discussions with adult caregivers.
The intermediate session, which is being held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., is for nine to 12-year-olds and adult caregivers.
This session includes the same topics as the primary session, plus a much more complete exploration of puberty changes - what is normal and what are the common questions and concerns as bodies grow and change.
Jeffery said parents of younger children are also welcome to attend as Hickling will talk about preschool-aged children and what language should be used with them regarding body parts.
According to Shiloh-Sixth Avenue United Church, there are more than 50 sexually transmitted infections, and eight of them can lead to fatal conditions.
Boys and girls can begin puberty changes in Grade 3.
Hickling has written various books, including More Speaking about Sex - A Guide for Parents, and Boys, Girls and Body Science: A First Book about the Facts of Life.
Coffee and tea will be served at the workshops, which will be held in the church sanctuary.
Cash donations will be accepted at the workshop, which will be used to offset the costs of this event.
For more information, call 604-522-3443 local 28 or visit the church's website at www.shiloh-6ave.net.
published on 01/20/2007
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