HOW TO TALK ABOUT SEXUALITY WITH STUDENTS (Sexuality and Relationships Education: Prevent Gender-Based Stereotypes, Discrimination and Violence)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Many young people approach adulthood faced with conflicting, negative and confusing messages about sexuality that are often exacerbated by embarrassment and silence from adults, including parents and teachers. This topic can arouse strong emotions and  it is critical that children develop the language and capacity to talk about it and understand their bodies, feelings and relationships from a young age.

Sexuality education (SE) is learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of human development, relationships, sexuality, wellbeing and sexual health.

Values of any society are reflected through sexuality and the approach to discussing it. Teachers need to be aware of their own cultural, religious, collective and individual values in order to accept the differences in their students and without imposing their attitudes. Many adults also have a biased opinion (based on their lack of information about confirmed data) that talking about sexuality encourages young people to be sexually active. The empirical evidence shows the opposite. Talking about sexuality encourages young people to be more responsible, self-aware and capable of taking control and making informed decisions about their sexuality and relationships.

Research has confirmed that there are many benefits of comprehensive and holistic sexuality education – from health outcomes to students developing attitudes and skills that contribute to their safe, healthy, positive relationships with peers, but adults, as well. Sexuality education programmes can contribute to broader societal changes, including respect for human rights, gender equality and diversity. In this course, we would like to start with learning how to talk, for a start.

Sexual education covers a wide range of topics, some of which may be sensitive or difficult to discuss with students – and many teachers often avoid or minimize topics they are uncomfortable with or they lack the skills, expertise and adequate support in approaching controversial topics.  Additionally, sexual education programes (where implemented) vary across European countries and schools that implement it focus mostly on human body and development, and sexual and reproductive health. Comprehensive sexuality education is an approach that goes beyond biology and reproduction and truly equips children with knowledge about their bodies and their rights, and informs them about gender equality and identity, values, sexual orientation, healthy relationships.

This course will rely on comprehensive sexuality education key topics and aspects of sexuality education that are often neglected in European schools’ current practices and need to be addressed – as recommended by the European Commission, UN and WHO publications.

The course is designed to provide more holistic approach and equip teachers with the skills they urgently need – to know how to  talk with their students, and know how to send the clear message of acceptance, tolerance, diversity and integrity.

It is aimed at teachers already teaching sexual education in their classrooms, but to those who have no knowledge at all and would like to know how to approach this topic in communication with their students.

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:

• Understanding how sexual health is connected to young people’s emotional well-being and mental health.
• Acquiring competences to know how to talk about sexuality with young people with the attitude we recommend.
• Gaining knowledge and skills on how to inform children of their rights and responsibilities in society, and help them to contribute positively to the world around them.
• Understanding how SE can safeguard children and youth by supporting them to report harmful behaviour, reduce harmful behaviour, including sexual violence and relationship abuse, stigma and discrimination (online and offline).
• Developing emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills, learning how to teach students to be self-aware and protect their personal boundaries.
• Learning how to help children and young people to develop positive relationships with themselves and others, based on respect and equality.

METHODOLOGY:

The course will include theoretical lectures, group discussions, and interactive, hands-on individual and group activities. Our methodological approach involves an interactive participation and self-reflection, and it relies on the methods used in our sexual health counselling practice, our teaching and youth work experience. Our approach is based on comprehensive approach to sex and sexuality education and relies on UN and WHO’s guidelines for developing sexual education programmes and our first-hand experiences. Information taught is medically and factually accurate and up-to-date, content is evidence-informed, following the broad range of recommended topics for different age groups.

The course can be customized to suit the needs of different groups of teachers, ranging from primary to tertiary levels. It can be delivered over a period of 5, 7 days or 10 days.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

Course fee:

400 EUR (5 days’ long program)

560 EUR (7 days’ long program)

 

Planned dates of the course:

10.02. – 14.02.2025.

03.03. – 07.03.2025.

07.04. – 11.04.2025.

19.05. – 23.05.2025.

02.06. – 06.06.2025.

14.07. – 18.07.2025.

11.08.- 15.08.2025.

22.09. – 26.09.2025.

6.10. – 10.10.2025.

10.11. – 14.11.2025.

08.12. – 12.12.2025.

Location of the course: Split, Croatia

Register for the course/questions about the course:   edunaut.hr@gmail.com

For any further information you can contact us via email or the contact form.