Sexual education in Kindergarten

[Sigurd]

There is a debate going on here about allowing children in Kindergaten (1-6 years old) to unfold their sexual expression.
"If the girls and boys want to undress and masturbate, let them".

Personally I am with the conservative camp on this one. It is an outrage. I would pull my youngest daughter out of a Kindergaten that would embrace a policy like this.

Article: Aftenposten in English

What say you?

[Gregoshi]

I'm with you Sigurd. That is opening Pandora's Box for abuse - precisely what Langfeldt says he wants to prevent. Children also need to learn that there is a time and a place for everything, and daycare/school is not the place to have "jolly time". When the kids reach first grade, are they going to suddenly be told "No Johnny, you can't do that anymore"? Bad idea.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Me, I think Kindergarten is too early to impose sexual repression on kids. Let them play doctor. I did so too with my nieces at that age.
Just socialise them a bit. Like you do with food. You don't force a two-and-a-half year old to eat with a knife and fork either. At that age you limit socialising to 'don't eat what fell into the sandbox', etc.

A four year old showing his goods in public traumatises only adults, not his fellow four year olds.

When the kids reach first grade, are they going to suddenly be told "No Johnny, you can't do that anymore"?

Uh, yeah, that is my plan exactly. Young children are unlearned lots of things, constantly. You can't drool, you can't crap your pants anymore - use a potty, can't play with Johnny in public anymore, stop sucking your thumb, speak with two words in public.

[Husar]

I'm with Sigurd.

[Crazed Rabbit]

That is appalling and disgusting.

CR

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

While I don't think children being naked or touching themselves is something to get especially uptight about, it's probably something that should be gently discouraged at this age, with an eye to socialisation.

To be honest, I find the whole premise of the article a bit silly. The kids have no conception of sexuality. They aren't masturbating, they're just examining their bodies.