Free seminar for moms and pre-teen daughters: "Girlology- Something New About You"
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Coming up on Oct. 21 and 22, moms and their 4th and 5th Grade daughters are invited to a free health seminar at WakeMed in Raleigh. It's being presented by WakeMed Children's, and the program is called Girlology.
"Girlology is a company that provides resources for parents and their kids, medically accurate, age-appropriate information to help them grow up safe, especially around the subjects of sexuality," explained co-founder Patricia Hutchison, MD.
Among the topics covered for this particular age group:
- Growth and Development
- Bras and Bra Shopping
- Hygiene and Hair management
- Nutrition
- Menstruation
- Feminine Care Products
- Moods and Emotions
- Respect for Self and Others
As a pediatrician, Dr. Hutchison recommends parents talk to both boys and girls about sex and the changes their bodies are going through sooner rather than later.
"Kids need to start learning about sex and sexuality as soon as they can sense the world around them. Because they watch out mom and dad touch each other, they learn about affection, they learn about intimacy," Hutchison explained. "But conversations about their body need to start when they're learning about their body parts in the bathtub."
But how do you bring it up and what kind of terminology do you use? Those are questions that are addressed for parents as part of Girlology.
"When they come to our programs they hear our language, they hear us using the proper words for their body, they see our humor, and they actually learn how to have a dialogue with their child," said Hutchinson.
Hutchison added that research shows these types of conversations lead to better body images for boys and girls alike, and can actually decrease risky sexual behavior down the road.
There is also a program for boys called Guyology.
Upcoming Girlology Events:
Wednesday October 21
6-8 p.m.
WakeMed Raleigh Campus
Heart Center Conference Center
Thursday, October 22
6 - 8 p.m.
WakeMed Raleigh Campus
Andrews Conference Center
