PlayAnger over sex comic for kids
Published: Thursday, 18 September 2008, 1:56PM
Parents and children's groups have reacted angrily to a new booklet which offers sex education for six-year-olds.
The comic, produced by the Family Planning Association, shows an illustration of a naked girl and boy and encourages youngsters to label parts of the body.
Critics said it is "too much, too young" but the FPA said Let's Grow With Nisha and Joe is a gentle introduction to the concepts of growth and physical change and wants to promote it to schools.
The FPA said it also helps children explore their relationships with friends and family.
Chief executive Julie Bentley said sex education for primary school kids was intermittent and inconsistent and that the publication - which will be shown to pupils by schools unless parents opt out - would help encourage schools.
But parents' groups are unhappy about the content.
Margaret Morrissey of Parents Aloud said: "We are feeding children this information when they still should be playing with dolls and toy cars.
"At that age, children are unlikely to have the ability to as the right questions.
"We have got to be so careful that we are educating, not confusing or putting fear into their minds."
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