Our favourite award-winning author, educator and advocate, Jayneen Sanders passionately believes children should be taught consent as early as two years of age, or as soon as a child begins to speak. She fiercely believes that teaching these crucial concepts to children from an early age will help them develop self-confidence and forge respectful relationships as teenagers and then adults, and be more considerate and empathetic individuals knowing that everyone has the right to feel safe.
Jayneen has actively advocated for body safety, gender equality and respectful relationship education being taught both in homes and in schools for over twelve years. We wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the wonderful books she has written and published on consent for children and parents.
Most of these books are suitable for children aged 3-9 years and give parents, carers, and educators the tools and framework to have conversations in age-appropriate ways with the children in their lives to educate and empower them.
Jayneen has expressed that; "Teaching children, from a young age, that they are the boss of their body and what they say goes is incredibly empowering. By exploring and discussing topics about body boundaries, respect, consent, feelings and emotions, choices, recognizing bullying behaviours and body safety, we are instilling important and life-long skills that are crucial in developing a child’s confidence and will help them to recognise their rights — especially in regards to their body."
With recent events and the current narrative in the media and broader community, we know that consent must be modeled at home and taught earlier, ideally as soon as a child begins to speak.
Because educated and empowered children will grow up to be respectful, confident, and empathetic adults.
