Teaching our kids about their bodies

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I was reading  a great article from Family Education about teaching your young child about their body parts.  Many children see their parents completely or partially naked at one time or another.  How do you feel when they start asking questions or looking more curious?  They suggest that when your child starts asking questions reassure your child that their genitalia are the right size and shape now and will change as they grow up. 

I will admit, this is an area that has always left me a bit uncomfortable.  So of course when I received the following books I felt a bit uncomfortable. 


Dr. Jim Burns, family expert and award-winning author, offers a valuable resource for those uncomfortable--even dreaded--conversations.

God Made Your Body (for ages 3-5 years old.)

With biblical, age-appropriate information and illustrations, God Made Your Body introduces children ages 3 to 5 to the basic idea that God created our bodies. Addressing topics such as how boys and girls are different, it also emphasizes how each child is unique and special to God.

How God Makes Babies (for ages 6-9 yrs.)

With biblical, age-appropriate information and illustrations, How God Makes Babies introduces children ages 6 to 9 to the basics of human sexuality. Answering the question of where babies come from, it also emphasizes how children are a part of God's wonderful plan for families.

So I read the first book to my children,"God Made Your Body", and felt fine with it.  It talked about the many differences like hair and eye color.  It did give some information on the differences of boys and girls genetalia and that "a mommy and daddy come together in a special way called making love".  They spoke briefly about the sperm and egg and this is how babies are made.  I think this was written well, and while I felt a little uncomfortable it was brief and to the point.  They then talked about how babies grow in the mommys tummy and are born, then about family.  I think this book is a great starting point on talking to your kids about their body.   

The second book, "How God Makes Babies", I didnt read to my children.  With it being for a little older, I didnt think this was quite appropriate yet.  I do think it will be good to read once they are more informed on their bodies.  I did read the whole book to myself.  It is a lot like the first, with a bit more detail.  I think this is a great book for tactfully teaching your kids about their genetalia and how babies are made.  It is talks about a man and woman getting married, and that husbands and wives may want to start a family and have a babies.  It is more in depth than the first book about describing the male and female body parts.  It touched on a bit of keeping your private parts private.  It discusses how babies are created from fertilization through child birth.  It also nicely touches on becoming a family and how some babies are adopted.  I can definitly see reading this as my kids are older and need to know more.  Seeing I am somewhat uncomfortable with this topic it will probably be at the older of the age range for this book(6-9yrs). 

After reading these books I thought it would be good to teach my kids more about their whole body.  As little ones I have taught this is your head, hands, nose, etc.  Now how about teaching whats inside.  I have had so many curious preschoolers and elementary school aged kids ask about Kennedys tube feeding ."What is that?" they ask a lot.  I have tried on many occassions to explain that it is how she eats.  Sometimes trying to explain to a child that it goes directly to their belly has been kind of comical.  I remember talking to my nephew when he was probably 4-5 years old.  I told him when he eats it goes in his mouth, down his throat in into his belly..and kind of pointed along my body when I told him this.  I told him for Kennedy the feeding bag was like the mouth, the tube was like her throat and then it is connected right to her belly.  Wow did he laugh, he thought that was pretty silly and really didnt understand it.

 So it makes me wonder does my now 5 year old understand what it is?  Why not try to find some more ways on teaching him about his body. 

Zach loves puzzles. I found these great looking puzzles by One Step Ahead(Leaps and Bounds).  The award-winning Body Puzzles teach kids what's inside them, starting with a skeleton (bottom layer) and working up to organs, muscle, skin, and clothing. They have boy and girl puzzles.  I think this would be a great way to teach him about his bones, muscles and organs.

I have recently been reviewing another book called "Mommy, Draw Stars on My Tummy" by Martine Groeneveld.  In this she has a great activity/game called "The Bone Search".  This sounds like a great way in teaching your kids about their bones and muscles by "drawing" on their body.  You can learn more about this and fun ways to bond with your young children through nurturing touch by going to http://www.mommydrawstarsonmytummy.com/.  You can pre order the book, which I think would make a wonderful Christmas gift or gift for a new baby!

I found this great song called "My Body: Internal Organs" by Ron Brown from his CD, "The Human Body". 
The whole CD is about your body and has many different songs to teach children about their body.  You can view the lyrics of  "My Body Internal Organs" at Songs for Teaching, Using music to promote learning

THE HUMAN BODY - Learning about body systems and functions is fun and easy with Intelli-Tunes!

Songs Include - My Body (Internal Organs) • Blood • The Heart Song • Bones! Bones! Bones! • Name Those Bones • Digestion • Five Senses • My Eyes Aren't What They Used to Be • Tooth Rap • Wiggly, Wobbly • I'm Keepin' Clean • Junk Food

How about a great free printable  body organs riddles and puzzles. 

It has a beat,
That warms your feet
An important part,
Is your ____________.

This looks like a fun idea for your elementary aged kiddos.  To get the rest of the riddle and more ideas go to  A to Z Teacher Stuff, Human body printables


How about learning from Hannah Montana:  Doing the Bone Dance!
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