Sexual Development in Children — Resources for Military Families

This online resource offers helpful information on sexual behavior and development in children and youth for:

• Families
• Parents
• Guardians
• Caregivers
• Clinicians

Background

Parents and other caregivers sometimes have questions about what to expect as children grow and develop. Military OneSource is here to arm you with the facts on what healthy sexual behaviors in children looks like, as well as provide information for concerning behavior. This toolkit is designed to support parents and caregivers as they navigate raising children.

Understanding child sexual development and concerning sexual behaviors

Tools for parents and guardians

• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network — Sexual Development and Behavior in Children
• OneOp — Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth (SBCY) Series
• National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth — Now What? A Caregiver’s Survival Guide: After Discovering A Problematic Sexual Behavior Has Occurred
• What’s Normal? What’s Not? Fact Sheet
• National Children’s Alliance — Resources for Children’s Advocacy Centers, Partners and Caregivers
• Military OneSource Podcast Series — Topics for military parents
• Healthy Sexual Behaviors in Children article
• Teach Your Kids Healthy Body Boundaries article
• FAQ and Resource Guide for Parents and Caregivers: Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth article
• The Healthy Bodies Toolkit for boys and girls (with foreign translations)
• Penn State University Thrive Series

Resources and courses for other caregivers

• Virtual Lab School — Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors
• Virtual Lab School — Sexual Development and Behavior in Children and Youth
• Virtual Lab School — Trauma-Informed Care in Child Care Settings
• Organization for Autism Research — Sex Ed for Self-Advocates
• Penn State University Thrive Series

Tools for other caregivers

• National Children’s Alliance — Children’s Advocacy Center Coverage Maps
• Stop It Now! Prevention Tools

Resources for clinicians

• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network — Understanding and Coping with Sexual Behavior Problems in Children
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network module on Problematic Sexual Behavior-Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for School-Age Children
• OneOp — PSB-CY: Clinical Assessment and Treatment Overview Courses
• National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth — Professionals
• MASOC — Clinical Decision Making in Cases of Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior
• MASOC — Assessment of Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children: What, When, and How
• MASOC — Clinical Assessment of Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior: An Overview
• MASOC — Youth with Sexual Behavior Problems: Practical Resources and Activities for Therapists Working with Youth and Their Families
• National Children’s Alliance — Effective Treatment for Youth with Problematic Sexual Behaviors