Preschoolers’ Knowledge of Genital Terminology: A Comparison of English and Spanish Speakers

Preschoolers’ knowledge of genital names facilitates disclosure of sexual abuse and provides the foundation for subsequent sex education. Surveys of preschoolers in the early 1990s found that few children knew proper names for the genitals. To determine knowledge among a current cohort of culturally diverse children, 128 preschool children were tested for their knowledge of the correct terms for their genitals. Almost all children knew the correct terms for their nongenital body parts, but few knew the correct terminology for their genitals. Significantly more English-speaking children correctly labeled their genitals compared to Spanish-speaking children. The importance of teaching preschool children the correct terminology for their genitals is discussed as well as the role of this concept in sexual abuse prevention programs. Suggestions are made for how program staff can work with Hispanic families to overcome cultural barriers to sexuality education.