This Children's Day Teach 5 Things To Your Daughter About Her Body

As your daughter gets older, before she even starts puberty, you may notice that she's showing an interest or curiosity in her body. That's okay. Encourage her to ask questions or start a conversation to find out what and how much she knows—and gauge what and how much to tell her.

Teaching your daughter about her body should be an open, honest and continuous conversation, starting at an early age, says Dr. Rebecca Unger, pediatrician at Northwestern Children's Practice and the Wellness and Weight Management Clinic at Lurie Children's Hospital. And the talking doesn't have to be between females; dads and other male caretakers can be responsible, trustworthy resources, too.

It's natural to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed or unqualified to talk with your daughter about her body. But she's going to get answers from somewhere, so it's up to you to make sure the information she's getting is factual and complete. Take opportunities to help your daughter understand your family's perspective and values, so she can shape her own.

# Bodies come in different shapes and sizes

But rather than talking about your daughter's physical appearance and weight, focus on her health. She'll get enough exposure to critical and unrealistic attitudes on body image from the media. If you obsess over the body—hers or your own—your daughter will pick up on it and develop the same obsession. Instead, encourage and support her by providing positive feedback on things that have nothing to do with her body.

# Be active and try new things

But don't force your daughter to do or keep doing anything. The body is great for many things: laughing, playing sports, dancing, standing, thinking, learning and more. Rather than focusing on her weight, encourage your daughter to keep active because of how it makes her feel or the friends she makes.

# Change and puberty

You want to prepare your daughter for what to expect before changes to her body happen. "Helping young girls, in a developmentally appropriate way, understand the predictable changes their bodies are about to go through can ease the road ahead," says Dr. Unger. In particular, reproductive health and menstruation are important health topics for your daughter. "Understanding the changes her body is going through will help your daughter feel less embarrassed or ashamed," Lavender says.

# Sex and sexuality

Teach your daughter how to respect herself and her body, and talk about sex in the context of a loving, healthy relationship. "Children are learning about sex from the very start, just watching the people around them," Lavender says. "Rather than focusing on the act of sex, you can lay the groundwork for a healthy attitude about her body and the importance of sharing it with someone who cares for and respects her when she is older."

# Privacy in person and online

While you should respect your daughter's privacy, you should also be aware of what's going on with her physically and socially. In terms she understands, teach her what social media responsibility means: that anything posted online, including pictures of and information about herself, is available for anyone, any time to see. Join her while she's on social media, so you know who she's interacting with and what she's posting, and limit her screen time.