Around ages three or four, children often become curious about their origins, frequently asking, "Where did I come from?" How would you respond to such questions? I doubt most would answer with "You'll understand when you grow up," "A witch gave birth to you," or "You popped out of a rock."
Here's an amusing example: When her son asked, "Where did I come from?" one mother eagerly shared a prepared explanation. Her son immediately retorted, "Little Hua next door said he came from Yibin. Where did I come from?"
This story reminds parents that when addressing questions like "Where did I come from?", it's crucial to first understand what the child is truly curious about. Then, gradually add details as they grow older, avoiding rushing to explain complex theories all at once that the child can't process.
When crafting responses, use language children can grasp. For example: "Mommy has a special passageway called the birth canal. Every baby comes through their mommy's birth canal. It's a very mysterious place filled with fluid that protects the baby."
When explaining how parents unite to create a baby, you can start with the analogy of "plant pollination."
By fifth or sixth grade, storytelling no longer satisfies children. "Factual disclosure" is the most effective approach to sex education at this age.
Typically, girls experience physical changes between ages twelve and fourteen, while boys undergo them between thirteen and fifteen. Parents should educate girls about the menstrual cycle and its management, and inform boys about the actual mechanisms of erection and ejaculation. This prevents children from feeling unprepared, frightened, or overwhelmed when these changes occur.