Teaching consent to kids
If your pre-schooler or toddler knows that they are the boss of their bodies, that they get to choose who touches their bodies and that they have the right to say yes or no, then this can lay the foundation that can help them to be safe from sexual abuse and to have confidence and healthy relationships in life.
Knowing about consent at a young age can help them be more empathetic and resilient as they can read their own body signals and be empathetic to others when they say no too. What better way to teach this important concept than with a book.
Books about consent for children aged 5 and under
- ‘Boss Of Your Own Body’ by Byll and Beth Stephen gives young readers the message that even though they are little they are the boss of their bodies. For kids aged 3-6 years. Click here to read my book review.
- ‘From My Head to My Toes I Say What Goes’ by Charlotte Barkla is a rhyming book. The book talks about what you say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to is yours to choose and that sometimes you might not feel like saying ‘yes’ and that’s okay. For kids aged 3-6 years. Click here to read my book review.
- ‘Yes No’ was written by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli is a board book. This book normalises asking for permission to do something. It is about respect for bodily autonomy, that we always need to ask, what yes and no look like, and that we are allowed to change our minds. For kids aged 2-5 years. Click here to read my book review.
- ‘Don’t Hug Doug -He Doesn’t Like it’ by Carrie Finison and Daniel Wisemen is a fun storybook about a boy called Doug who doesn’t like hugs (except at bedtime from his mum) but he likes high 5s. For kids aged 3-7 years. Click here to read my book review.
4 More books that help you teaching consent to kids
- ‘Can I Give You a Squish?’ by Emily Neilson talks about the different ways people greet each other, that not everyone likes being touched, and that it’s important to always ask before touching. For kids aged 3-7 years. Click here to read my book review.
- ‘Don’t Touch my Hair’ by Sharee Miller is a story about a girl who does not like people touching her hair. People need to ask for permission before touching and that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable and to say ‘no’ when you don’t like it. For kids aged 2-5 years. Click here to read my book review.
- ‘C is for Consent’ by Eleanor Morrison is a board book, that talks about that it’s ok to say yes or no. That even adults need to ask for permission too. For kids 2-5 years. Click here to read my book review.
- ‘Consent’ by Jayneen Sanders is one in a series of fantastic books for young readers. It talks about being the boss of your body, always asking for permission, making sure it’s happily given and that you have the right to say yes or no or change your mind. For kids 2-5 years. Click here to read my book review.
Teaching children from a very early age about consent is so essential so that they know that they can be comfortable and confident making choices about their own bodies and respect the boundaries of everyone’s bodies too.
Tip: read my blog about the importance of using the words safe touch and unsafe touch vs good touch vs bad touch.
