Should children learn their private parts by nicknames or should they know it by its names?

Question

For example my nephew calls his private part Tonono...`.I don't know why, he calls it that.

Answer 1

Children old enough to know not to say these words in public should be taught them... other wise a safer word is better to use incase they decide to annouce to the public that they are having and issue with it.... It wont kill them to have a nickname for it for a few years till they are old enough .... I dont know why there is such an issue here... we dont call half the stuff on our bodys by there real names.

Answer 2

They need to know the real name. What is with nicknaming this stuff? You don't make up cutsie names for an eye, do you? So why isn't a penis called a penis? It's just an anatomical part like any other anatomical part. Those cutsie names really reveal something about the parents, are they in denial or what?

Answer 3

No I think they should know the right word for every single part of the body, then if they want to give a nickname they can.

That nickname is for being used in front of other people that is not in the household.

I think kids should have confidence with the family members and can say the right words. thats a way to teach them the right way and another way that can be use in front of strangers.

Answer 4

For the last time people, it's not penis and "vagina". The vagina is just the passageway to the uterus. The VULVA is the all-inclusive term. If you're going to teach your kids the proper names of their reproductive organs, learn their proper names!

Nicknames detach children from their own sexuality. Nicknames give the impression that their reproductive organs are shameful and to not ever be discussed. If they're old enough to learn about reproductive organs and their functions, they're old enough to use proper discretion as to when it's appropriate to talk about them.

Answer 5

Does it really matter? Why do people have such a problem with teaching kids cutsie names for body parts? I mean, they learn cutsie names for so many other things, doggie, bunny, kitty, etc.
My hubby came up with a solution for this since neither of us wanted to hear a 2 year old saying penis all the time. Since my hubby is Vietnamese, he taught him the word for it in his language. So, it sounds cutsie but it is the actual anatomical name for it - just not in English.

Answer 6

I think as a preschool teacher that children should learn the proper names for body parts. It makes an easier transition for into more serious talks about sex. Plus, it allows the children a prpoer vocabulary.

Answer 7

They should eventually learn both a nickname and the name.. but a 2 year old shouldn't be blurting out 'penis.' Especially not in public.

Answer 8

when teaching children the facts of life as they grow they should be given the medical name for those parts such as penis and vagina. kids should not have to say something to a fellow student or playmate who has also been told the facts of life and end up ignorant of the true facts surrounding the issue if you teach your children the proper names you better prepare them for other issues that could be of concern in other situations such as good touch and bad touch. no child should grow up ignorant.

Answer 9

They need to learn it by proper name in case for some horrrible reason, they were to be molested, they need to know the proper name for court etc. Child molestors have not been found guilty because the child could not identify what was "touched". It truly is horrilbe times we live in.

Answer 10

I agree with hippiechick. The penis and vagina is a body part we ought to not be ashamed of. If anything, we need to realize that our existance rely on the function of these two very important parts.