Sex education for five year olds
Getting ready for school (and beyond)
At five, kids are developing independence, starting school, and asking bigger questions about bodies and families. They’re ready to understand privacy rules more clearly, practise hygiene skills, and learn that families and bodies come in all shapes and sizes.
At this stage, the goal is to equip them with their first real safety toolkit – clear body rules, healthy boundaries, and simple, factual answers.
Feeling overwhelmed? Start small
Seeing all the topics can feel like a lot. But you don’t have to cover everything before they start school – you’ll keep building as they grow.
Mindset shifts to help you breathe
- Permission to go slow: You’re planting seeds, not finishing the garden.
- Connection first: Your attitude shapes theirs.
- Pick what matters now: Hygiene? Feelings? Clothing boundaries? Start there.
👉 Need extra support? In the Sex Ed Membership, I give parents scripts and step-by-step guidance.
Quick reference snapshot (5 year olds)
Focus right now: Reinforce privacy, practise hygiene, and give simple, factual answers.
Key topics
- Correct names (penis, vulva, vagina, testicles, anus, uterus)
- Genital curiosity (looking at or asking about others’ genitals)
- Clothing boundaries (why we wear clothes in public)
- Public vs private (parts, places, activities, words)
- Safe vs unsafe touch (using feelings as a guide)
- No-touch rules about other people’s genitals
- Where babies come from (sperm + egg + uterus)
- Families look different
- Naming & managing emotions
- Cleaning your body (washing, wiping, handwashing)
- Early online safety (screen rules, tell an adult if worried)
What to teach (with scripts)
- Keep Using Correct Names: “Penis, vulva, vagina, testicles, anus, uterus – every part has a name.”
- Genital Curiosity: Kids may look at or ask about others’ genitals out of curiosity. Keep it calm and factual. “Yes, boys and girls have different private parts. Everyone’s body is private, so we don’t look or touch other people’s.”
- Clothing Boundaries: “At home it’s fine to be naked, but when we go out we wear clothes to keep our private parts private.”
- Public vs Private: Reinforce parts, places, activities, and words.
- Safe & Unsafe Touch: “Safe touches feel kind and wanted. Unsafe touches feel scary, yucky, or hurt.” Rule: “Your body belongs to you.”
- No-Touch Rules: Start teaching that no one should touch their genitals except a parent or doctor for care. “Your private parts belong to you. No one should touch them unless it’s for cleaning or health.”
- Where Babies Come From: Sperm + egg + uterus = baby. Keep it short and factual.
- Families Look Different: “Families can look different – what matters most is love.”
- Hygiene Skills: Teach wiping front-to-back, washing hands, regular bathing.
- Early Online Safety: “Screens are for shared spaces. If you see something scary or confusing, tell a grown-up straight away.”
TIP. Not sure how to talk about one of these topics? If you’re thinking “how the heck do I explain that?”, don’t worry — you’re in the right place. Just scroll down and you’ll find blogposts that show you what to say, when to say it, and how to keep it age-appropriate. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own — I’ve got you 💛
Tips for talking
- Use school readiness as a natural lead-in: “When you start school…”
- Keep answers short and concrete.
- Use books, visuals, and stories to spark discussion.
- Role-play asking for help, saying “stop,” or talking to a teacher.
Common parent fears (and reassurance)
- “They’ll repeat private words at school – what if they embarrass me?” → Kids will test boundaries! Use it as a reminder: “Yes, that’s right – but remember, private words are for home or the doctor.”
- “What if they ask for more detail about making babies?” → Answer simply and factually. You don’t need to go into sexual intercourse unless you feel ready and they keep asking.
- “I’m scared I’ll say the wrong thing.” → It’s okay. You can always revisit and correct yourself later. What matters is showing you’re willing to talk.
What if I do nothing?
If you avoid these topics, your child may head into school without a clear understanding of body safety, privacy rules, or how to ask for help.
Next steps
As your child grows, you’ll keep adding new layers – like friendships, respect, and early puberty changes.
👉 For now, keep it simple and download your Ages 3-5 Sex Ed Checklist to stay on track.
🧭 Looking for a different age? Check out the full Age-Appropriate Sex Education Guide with support from birth to 18.
➡️ Ready for what’s next? Explore the next age guide for 6 year olds to stay one step ahead.
Find practical tools to educate kids about sex education in the Sex Ed Shop
🔍 More help for this age and stage
There’s a lot of information out there about sex education — and it can be hard to know where to start (or what’s actually relevant right now). That’s why I’ve pulled together these blogposts, guides, and tools that are especially helpful for parenting a 5 year old.
These resources will help you focus on what matters right now – in a way that feels calm, doable, and aligned with your values.
Because even though every child is different, there are general stages all kids go through. These links will help you feel confident and prepared, one small step at a time.
👇 Scroll down to explore what’s relevant for this stage – from common questions to everyday conversations.
🛒 Looking for tools that make sex ed easier? You’ll also find practical, parent-friendly resources inside the Sex Ed Shop – designed to help you have conversations without stress, shame or awkwardness.
You’re doing a great job. Let’s keep going!
Anyway, that should get you started with teaching sex education to your five year old in a non-awkward, shame-free and natural way! And you can also find other age-by-age sex education guides.
Happy talking!
❤️ Cath
Looking for more sex education resources? Then visit my Sex Education 101 page!
📥 Free download for parents
The Ages 3-5 Sex Ed Checklist
As your child gets ready for school, it’s the perfect time to reinforce body safety and privacy.
This age-appropriate checklist helps you:
👇 Sign up below to get your free checklist
References
- Education for Health and Wellbeing
- Global Review 2015 Document
- Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships
- International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education 2018 Document
- Putting Sexuality Back into Comprehensive Sexuality Education
- Sensoa Flag System Reacting to sexually (un)acceptable behaviour of children, young people and adults. (Rutgers Europe)
- Sex Education Forum (UK)
- Sexual Health Victoria: Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Resources (formerly Family Planning Victoria)
- Sexuality Information and Education Council
- Teaching and learning activities (Sexuality Education Victorian Primary Schools)
- Teaching and learning activities (Sexuality Education Victorian Secondary Schools)
- Teaching Sexual Health (Canada)
- WHO: Sexual and Reproductive Health Issues
- WHO: Developing Sexual Health Programmes