There are many different ways to define consent and many different contexts to take into consideration when teaching the meaning of consent. Here are a few definitions that help to clarify what exactly consent means.

Consent means giving someone a choice about touch or actions and respecting their answer. With children, we often use the language "asking for permission." (Safe Secure Kids)

Informed, voluntary, and mutual agreement between people to engage in an activity. (National Sex Education Standards)

Bodily autonomy can be an intimidating word for those who do not know what it means. In reality, it is much more simple than it appears to be. One of the most important terms to know when teaching a child about their bodies, here are a few things to help define bodily autonomy.

An individual’s right to make decisions regarding one’s own body, including deciding at any point who may or may not touch their body in any way, is also referred to as bodily sovereignty. (National Sex Education Standards)

Teaching kids respect for their own and others' bodies helps empower them and reduces their chances of becoming victims. (Safe Secure Kids)

Under the 'More Resources' tab you can find the National Sex Education Standards. These standards include a dense glosary at the end of the pages. Here you can find definitions to other important terms used in sex education.

Why is teaching consent from a young age important?

Teaching consent from a young age empowers young children to be confident with decisions regarding their bodies. Not only does it create boundaries for them it also helps them to respect the boundaries of others. It helps them understand how they should be reacting when someone tells them no and when they can be saying no.

How do I know when it is time to teach my child about consent?

Age Appropriate: The age level at which it is suitable to teach concepts, information, and skills based on the social, cognitive, emotional, and experience levels of most students in that age range. (National Sex Education Standards)

There are many different thoughts and beliefs on when it is suitable to teach children about difficult topics but in reality, it is all up to the progressions that the child is making and how they are responding to hard conversations. Every child is different but research shows that the conversations you have with your children start to have more meaning by the time they turn four years old. They are able to follow commands and understand simple concepts.

What are the sex education standards in Texas?

SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, has been prioritizing the advancement of sex education since the early 2000s. Below is a link to the current sex education standards in the state of Texas.