Sexual Health Education in Early Childhood: Examining Early Years Frameworks Across Canada

Abstract

In this paper, the authors draw on a reconceptualist framework to explore if and how sexual health content is addressed in provincial/territorial/Indigenous early years frameworks across Canada. Specifically applying a postdevelopment lens, this study examines how principles of the Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education are present, absent, or alluded to in the early years frameworks in Canada. Findings show that explicit references to sexuality were largely absent across the frameworks, with a few notable exceptions. However, the authors illustrate openings in the current frameworks for integrating sexual health content in early years settings. The article concludes with a discussion on the opportunities for change and the theoretical shifts required in Canadian early years frameworks in efforts to ensure children’s access to comprehensive sexuality education.

Keywords:

• early childhood education,
• childhood innocence,
• gender,
• post-development,
• reconceptualist,
• sexuality education