8.3. Educating children about HIV and AIDS

* It is important for parents to communicate with their children about HIV and AID because:
- They need to be able to protect themselves
- They should be equipped to take control over their bodies
- Children need to be able to cope with their feelings about HIV and AIDS
- They also need to be prepared for challenges they might face as teenagers or young adults
* Just as we would teach our children the rules of crossing the street to be safe we need to teach our children about other potentially risky situations. We are trying to raise children in an environment where violence is common, HIV infection is growing, drugs are widely spread and easily available and high-risk sexual activity happens every day.
* If we are to talk about any of these issues we need to show our children that open and effective communication is important. This means asking and answering questions as well as listening carefully even when the topic(s) of discussion is not easy to deal with.
* It is sometimes hard to talk to children about difficult things. You, as parents, may wonder if you gave them enough information.
* When we start talking about HIV and AIDS we realise that we might also have to talk about sex and sexuality.
* When children ask questions it is because they trust that you are able to give them accurate information.
* Sometimes they will also ask to confirm information they heard from elsewhere that might not necessarily be correct or true!
Some tips to get you started:
* Children might ask some things that you are not prepared for and that could make you feel uncomfortable. If you do not respond or you dismiss their questions you are not helping them. Good advice can help them stay safe and make wise decisions.
* Be open to talking with your children about all sorts of things. Chat, share, laugh - communicate!
* Start young - the earlier you begin, the easier it is. By the time your children are teenagers they will be better prepared and less likely to make unwise choices.
* Be sensitive -respect your child's stage and age. Don't give more information than they want or need. (E.g. a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old will have different questions and worries).
* Don't carry on talking when they have stopped listening.
* Start conversations - create an environment of trust and communication. Find ways to gently start talking about difficult things.
* Talk often - one sex talk will not give your children all the information they need. Repeat yourself. Make sure you have been understood. Children need to hear things over and over again to learn.
* Be honest - If you do not know an answer, say so. If you do not feel good talking about sex, say so. But try and say it in a way that does not stop communication. Perhaps you could suggest that the child talks to a relative or health worker. Better still, offer to go together! Try and learn with your children.
* Make sure you know the facts about HIV and AIDS so that you are comfortable talking about these things.


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