Teaching children about their bodies at early age Published Jan. 18, 2007 By Nicole Campbell 43rd Airlift Wing POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- More than 20 child care and school professionals spent their afternoon eating lunch and taking notes during "Child's Play" training, presented by the Child Advocacy Center's public awareness coordinator. The seminar focused on children's sexual development, and what parents, caregivers and educators can do to address inappropriate sexual behavior. Stacy Pendarvis, a social worker for the CAC, opened the session with introductions - there were representatives from many agencies, including 43rd Services Squadron, 43rd Medical Group, Fort Bragg schools, Pope schools and the Child Development Center. According to Ms. Pendarvis, children experience stages in normal sexual development. She stressed the importance of education at a young age and she relayed a editorializing story to drive home the point. "A little girl went to school telling everyone that so and so was touching her pocketbook, so the teachers and everyone told her to put it away or move it. "Come to find out that the girl was being sexually abused, but she was taught the wrong terminology, so no one knew what she was talking about," Ms. Pendarvis said. She said starting early is key. Parents should even explain to infants what they are doing as they bathe them and change their diapers and continue educating as the children grow older, to ensure they are well-informed about their body parts, she said. Ms. Pendarvis also insisted that children should be allowed to assert boundaries, otherwise, they will perceive that they are not in control of their bodies. She said that children should not be forced to give hugs or kisses (even to grandma), if they don't want to. Irwin Intermediate School Psychiatrist Kay Stuertuz, said the training was excellent, and that it is always good to have a refresher, but she was disappointed more parents did not attend. She said she is concerned about the lack of sex education provided by parents, and she would like to see additional programs, possibly hosted by the school's Parent Teacher Association. The training was coordinated by family member programs training and curriculum specialist Iris Pierce. She said the participants seemed enthused and asked many questions afterward, leading her to plan for a follow-up program for the roughly 50 Pope CDC personnel. Ms. Pierce said that there was parent interest and one parent did take part, but in the future the seminar might be marketed differently to ensure higher parent participation.