The effect of sexuality education program on the sexual development of children aged 60-72 months

Abstract

The aim of this research was to examine the effect of sexuality education program based on the information level on sexual issues, and cognitive and emotional readiness on sexual development of preschool children aged 60-72 months. In this study a quasi-experimental design-with pretest-posttest control group-was used. The research sample consisted of 58 children, 29 in the experimental group and 29 in the control group attending preschool institutions in Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. Questionnaire of Sexuality Knowledge Level and Personal Information Form developed by the researcher to determine knowledge about sexuality were used for data collection instruments in the present research. An 8-session sexuality education program was implemented in the experimental group to increase their level of sexuality knowledge, and control group was not subjected to any programs; independent sample t-test and 2 x 4 mixed ANOVA were used to analyze the data. According to the findings the posttest scores mean obtained from the Questionnaire of Sexuality Knowledge Level of the children included in the experimental group were significantly higher than the mean of the pretest total scores. There was no statistically significant difference between posttest scores mean and pretest scores mean of children included in the control group. It has also determined that long-lasting effect of sexuality education program continues after the end of experiment.