In late elementary, Growth, Development, and Sexual Health is taught in the fifth grade. Students in fifth grade are experiencing many changes with their bodies related to development and puberty. Students at this age may also be developing romantic interest in others or experiencing their first “crush.” The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS 2019) states, “sexuality education is a lifelong learning process of acquiring information. As young people grow and mature, they need access to accurate information about their sexuality.” Adolescents and even pre-adolescents are developing the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to become sexually healthy adults (SIECUS 2019). Providing medically accurate, unbiased information on sexual health to students is important and necessary; therefore, teachers are often motivated to teach development and sexuality education. Teachers and administrators should ensure they have the knowledge, resources, support, and collaborative environment to do so effectively.
The Orange County Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of this outside information. Further, the inclusion of links to particular items in hypertext are not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed or products or services offered on these outside sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
