Sex education will also be covered in school. A unit in school, however, is not enough to communicate your family's values.

Teens (regardless of cognitive ability) go through all the stages of physical development and desire. Talk with your tween about these changes before they happen. Communicating an understanding of sexual issues is an opportunity to use all of the skills you have practiced throughout your child's life: clear, concrete explanation; discussion of social situations and language; reminder of expectations; appropriate supervision; and lots of listening.