Option A or Option B?

Question

My husband thinks we should teach our children the anatomical terms for body parts, i.e. : p***s, b*****s, v****a

However...I think we should just "nickname" these parts until they are old enough to know when it's alright to say these words. And use words such as: pee-pee, tah-tahs, tee-tee

Basically... Option A: using correct terms from day1? or Option B: using correct terms when they understand?

Answer 1

definitely go with the real anatomical names for these.  there's nothing to be ashamed of in using p***s, b*****s, etc.  Frankly, I'd be embarrased for a child that told his teacher his wee-wee was aching.

Answer 2

my 3 yr old has a seat a sisi and boobies

Answer 3

Use the correct terms.  There is nothing wrong with the words.

Answer 4

Use Option A it's always better to use the correct terms then nicknames.

Answer 5

either whatever u feel is right

Answer 6

Ah, your husband is right! Correct words as they learn other body parts - he has an arm, a leg, a p***s, testicles. You have b*****s, a v***a and a v****a (those last two won't come up for a while if you have a boy, but use them if you have a girl).

Nicknames for body parts are frankly not smart any longer.

However, at a certain age you also tell them that it's fine to use a general term like "private parts" when they are in public, daycare, school, etc.

Answer 7

I think using nicknames teaches kids to be ashamed of their bodies. But "v****a" is talking about the inside, that is kinda inappropriate when they are little (they don't have a need for it until they are married, lol). Say "v***a" instead. My boys are toddlers and they know they have a p***s. I made the mistake of teaching my oldest daughter "v****a" and now she is embarassed to say it because society has taught her it is wrong, so that is why I say, my youngest daughter will be told "v***a", there is nothing dirty about the word and it makes more sense than "tah-tah", "va-j-j", "coochy" or any of the other dirty sounding nicknames people come up with.

Answer 8

Well, i wouldn't have them say the actual words p***s, v****a,ect. but use relative words....for my little sister (who is almost 2) we use tushie for butt, pee-pee for v****a, and boobies for b*****s....those are fine cuz there no too racy but still keeps there meanings...

Answer 9

I agree with you it is vulgar sounding when toddlers say v****a or p***s.

Answer 10

Actually if you ask this question to any child psychologist he would tell you that It is better if you teach your children at early age the correct names of our "private" parts. There is such a "tabu" surrounding that, and even I have a problem calling those parts by the name, but that's exactly why they say it is best to teach them at an early age....everyone has them, it is something normal....so I would say Option A

Answer 11

real word they will hear them in life and ask you sooner then later

Answer 12

well, I will admit that I am a little old school! I am not little any more, and am well out of my teenage years, but I still don't use the "proper" names for those parts, because I find it awkward...but really, how many times are your kids going to use those words anyways! Its not like everyone sits around the table and talks about how their parts are working and feeling today!

Best of luck to you, you do what you feel comfortable with...

As a teacher, I would feel weird if one of my kindergarteners came up to me and said his part was hurting him....that would be awkward......

Answer 13

How old are they?

You should use the nickname if they are under 6 years old in my opinion..

Answer 14

I would use correct terms from day one because otherwise when they find out what is correct they will feel like they were treated like idiots. I did.

Answer 15

i'll say option A. my son in second grade i taught it to him since he was mature enough and he never mentions it..... hes top of the class... but thats my son ofcourse. see what you have to do. but i'll say option A since your kids might forget it and replacing it with the fake terms

Answer 16

i'd say use nicknames because that just...wow....because you wouldnt want them going to their kindergarden teacher and saying hey guess what i saw when my little brother was taking his bath...i mean i would just use nicknames until they are about 6 adn then i would help them understand that they are what they are and that is what they always will be.

Answer 17

I think it is appropriate to teach children proper names for all body parts.  Giving certain body parts "nicknames" gives a child the impression there is something different about these parts and if you can't say the proper name there must be something forbidden about them.  I have been a mom for 29 years to 4 kids.  I am also grandma to a 15 month old grandson and I have provided child care in my home for 20 years.  We always use the proper names and it works out well.  I think children who grow up knowing the proper names are a lot less likely to have a silly or embarrassed attitude when it comes time for learning about the body, maturation, and s*x ed in school.  Personally, I don't think it's any different than teaching them the proper names about any other body part.  We don't feel the need to give nicknames to noses or elbows, or knees so I don't see the benefit of doing so with b*****s, vaginas, and p***s's.

Answer 18

i would use nicknames, think about it,they tend to repeat things and they would be walking around yelling p***s or v****a?? yeah i would stick with nicknames,they can learn the real names later on.

Answer 19

Use the correct terms from day 1, you can teach nicknames too but they need to know correct terms as well because if they say thinks like Pee-Pee in kindergarten they will most likely be made fun of or looked at weird.  Really there is no reason to lie to a child about body part names.  My boys know that they have a p***s but choose to call it a winky but they still know the real name.  They will call b*****s by their name but then turn around and say booby.  I would just teach them different names so if they hear someone talking they know what they are talking about.  My boys go to the pediatrician and the Dr says "ok now i need to make sure you don't have an infection on your p***s" and if they didn't know what a p***s was they wouldn't understand what she was doing down there.

Answer 20

Option A.  If someone touches my daughter's private parts, I don't want her saying "he touched my pocketbook" and being ignored.  

My children know the words for parts.

Answer 21

Option A

Answer 22

Use the nicknames, they'll learn the other words eventually.

Answer 23

Option A, it won't hurt them to know the real name.

Answer 24

Option B.