Book Review
A short overview of this book
My Body, My Choice. Teaching Kids Consent by Crystal Hardstaff is a charming and informative children’s book for kids to learn about the importance of consent and respecting boundaries. With colorful illustrations and easy-to-understand language, young children and toddlers will learn about the power of their own bodies and how to say “no” when someone makes them uncomfortable. Children will learn that they are in control of their own bodies and have the right to make decisions about touch. This book is perfect for parents and caregivers to read with young children to start important conversations about consent and bodily autonomy.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 3 to 6 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of My Body, My Choice. Teaching Kids Consent by Crystal Hardstaff from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue with Cath Hak, where I’m here to make sex education easier for parents. Today, I want to talk about a fantastic book called My Body, My Choice: Teaching Kids Consent by Crystal Hardstaff. This book is perfect for preschool and early school-age children.
First off, the book gives some helpful tips for parents, caregivers, and anyone working with children on how to start these important conversations. Then, we dive right into the book itself. It begins by emphasizing the concept of consent. The rhyme goes like this: My body is mine, and I have a say about who touches me in every single way. It’s repeated to really drive home the message that kids have the right to their own voice.
The book uses a cute puppy as an example to teach about consent. It explains that even when we’re caring for a pet, we should ask if they’re okay with a hug before giving one. The same goes for people too! We learn that it’s important to ask for consent and listen to others, so we can respect their boundaries.
The book also teaches kids about taking turns and asking if friends want to join in playtime. It emphasizes that it’s totally okay if someone says no. Everyone has the right to make their own choices. It’s all about understanding that other people are the boss of their own bodies.
Another great lesson in the book is about listening to our bodies. It talks about those times when our tummy feels tight or our head feels all blurry. In those moments, we can tell our friends that we need some space, and they should respect that. It’s all about trusting and respecting our own choices.
The book encourages kids to communicate their feelings through simple gestures like giving a thumbs up or nodding their head. It’s about paying attention to what our bodies are telling us and respecting that. And hey, if we’re feeling tired and cranky, it’s totally okay to take a nap!
When it comes to grownups, the book teaches that they should understand and respect our boundaries too. If we don’t want a hug or a kiss, they should listen and not force it. We have the power to give consent and take it away. It’s our decision, every single day.
I also want to give a shoutout to the book for its inclusiveness. It features children with different skin colors, which is awesome because representation matters!
To wrap it up, My Body, My Choice: Teaching Kids Consent is a lovely little book that introduces children to the concept of consent. It’s a great tool for starting these important conversations. So go ahead and grab a copy for your little ones. Cheers!
