Consent for Kids Ages 5-10

Consent is a topic that can be learned at all ages! Following up from the previous Learn Hub module on consent for youth under age 5, these next 5 tips will help navigate conversations with kids anywhere from ages 5 to 10. Concepts of consent, permission, and boundaries are still the focus, but we can build upon that existing knowledge and expand to new scenarios that best match that child’s experiences based on their age, and delve into more understanding of their own bodies and privacy.

 Topics to add onto learning for kids age 5-10 include understanding and looking out for both verbal and nonverbal signals of consent, creating space to openly discuss their bodies and the correct names for body parts, discussing what safe vs. unsafe touch is, working with them to talk about their boundaries and how they can safely state them to others, and modelling consent in interactions with your child. 

As children grow more mature and conversations around consent and boundaries do too, remember that it’s okay if these conversations still feel awkard. No matter what, you are displaying for your child that you are okay discussing these sensitive topics and modelling that you are a trusted adult they can turn to for questions or support about consent, boundaries, and relationships. 

By creating open and honest communication with your child about these topics, you are setting them up for future relationships where they can take these core concepts and apply them to more nuanced situations. By starting these conversations early on, consent and boundary discussions become a normalized part of life and easier to discuss in various relationships kids have with family, friends, teammates, classmates, etc.