A sex education program for teachers of preschool children: a quasi-experimental study in Iran

Abstract

Background Sex education is an important educational dimension. Together with families, teachers play a significant role in providing sex education to children. However, in most cases, they do not have enough information on this topic. The present study aimed to determine the effects of a preschool sex education program on preschool teachers’ knowledge and attitude. Methods In this quasi-experimental study, 80 teachers working at preschools in Tehran, Iran, were randomly allocated to experimental and control groups. The educational program was provided in two 90-min sessions for the experimental group while the control group received no intervention. A self-designed knowledge and attitude questionnaire was completed by both groups before and 1 month after the intervention. This questionnaire evaluated knowledge and attitude in six domains of principles of sex education, sexual identity, stages of development and proper methods of sex education, sex-related questions, masturbation, and sexual abuse. Data were analysed in SPSS 18 using descriptive statistics as well as independent samples t-test, paired-samples t-test, chi-squared test, and ANCOVA at p < 0.05. Results Mean scores of knowledge and attitude in all dimensions showed a significant increase in the experimental group following the educational intervention. However, no difference was observed in the control group. Following the educational intervention, mean scores of teachers’ knowledge and attitude in all six domains showed a significant difference with that of the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions Results revealed that the sex education program can promote the knowledge and attitude of preschool teachers in all domains. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT2016122320854N5. Registered on 9 March 2017. “Retrospectively registered”.

Comparison of Ladder Snake and Busy Book Andara on Knowledge of Personal Safety Skills Against Child Sexual Abuse Among Preschool Children: A Quasi Experimental Study

“…Preschool children are introduced to the aspects contained in the At preschool, the people around the child greatly affect the child's ability in all things including sexual knowledge. Including the role of teachers, increasing the ability of teachers to develop children's skills to protect themselves against the risk of sexual violence is needed (Gansen, 2017;Martin et al, 2020). Preschool is symbolic / make believe play stage (2-7 years), children begin to absorb information in their environment through concrete objects with their rapidly developing imaginative abilities.…”

Erken Çocukluk Dönemine Ait Resimli Çocuk Kitaplarında Cinsel Eğitim Unsurlarının İncelenmesi

“…Sex education is a much broader concept than simply sexuality (World Health Organization, 2006;Martin et al, 2020;Çalışandemir et al, 2008;Güneş, 2018;Kardeş and Güney Karaman, 2018). The fact that the subjects covered in the broad definition of sex education are included in the examined books suggests that picture books are a powerful educational material which can facilitate the work of both families and teachers in the sex education process.…”

“…The periods between 3 to 6 years of age, also known as early childhood, are critical in sexual development. Martin et al (2020) determined the elements of sex education to be the principles of sex education, sexual identity, the stages of sexual development and appropriate sex education approaches, children's questions about sexuality, masturbation, and sexual abuse in children. Although conversations about these topics can be difficult in many societies today, it is important to answer the questions children ask in an appropriate, unhurried, natural, and ordinary way.…”

Okul öncesi öğretmen adaylarının cinsel eğitim hakkındaki görüşlerinin incelenmesi

“…Yapılan çalışmalar, cinsel eğitim konusunda bilgi verilen ve bu konuda desteklenen öğretmenlerin cinsel eğitim konusundaki bilgi ve tutumlarının olumlu şekilde arttığı görülmüştür. (Martin, Riazi, Firoozi & Nasiri, 2020;Adogu & Nwafulume, 2015) Ülkemizde okul öncesi dönemde cinsel eğitim ile ilgili yapılan araştırmaların pek çoğunun ebeveynler ile yapıldığı (Tuğut & Gölbaşı, 2019;İşler & Gürşimşek, 2018;İşler, 2017;Eliküçük & Sönmez, 2011;Erbil, Orak, & Bektaş, 2010;Göçgeldi, Tüzün, Türker & Şimşek, 2007;Tuğrul & Artan, 2001), öğretmenler ve öğretmen adayları ile yapılmış çalışmaların ise sınırlı kaldığı Esra Ünlüer, Rahime İnan Okul öncesi öğretmen adaylarının cinsel eğitim hakkındaki görüşlerinin incelenmesi görülmektedir. Cinsel eğitimin öğretmenin bilgi ve yaklaşımına bırakıldığı düşünüldüğünde öğretmen adaylarının bu konu hakkındaki görüş ve bilgi düzeylerini ortaya koymak amacıyla yapılmış bu çalışmanın, okul öncesinde cinsel eğitimin önemine ve öğretmenlik programlarında cinsel gelişim ve eğitim dersinin yer alması gerekliliğine olan inancı artıracağı düşünülmektedir.…”