Camp offers new line on 'the birds and bees'
Embarrassed to talk to your children about the birds and the bees? No need to worry, a camp in Shanghai has got it covered.
The controversial camp opened its gates on Wednesday, offering three days of classes for children aged eight to 13 for 2,280 yuan (HK$2,600).
Partner Company is running the camp, which has sparked debate about whether it is proper to teach children about sex in this way. It has been criticised for its high cost and for offering only three hours of classes a day.
An organiser said six children were enrolled on the first day, but 17 would attend later sessions. Three sessions for boys and one for girls are planned over the summer.
Organisers said the camp had proved popular in Nanjing , where it originated several years ago.
'Most of the children are from wealthy families and their parents are well-educated, but they often feel puzzled about how to talk about sex with their kids,' the organiser said.
The purpose was to help children learn about sex correctly and improve communication between parents and children. 'Nowadays it is much easier for children to get information about sex, especially through the internet, but sometimes this information is bad or wrong,' he said.
Unlike staid education methods used in schools, instructors said they would use more innovative and interactive ways to attract children's attention. Class sizes were limited to eight to improve communication.
'I often use graphics, games and story-telling to help children understand sex,' one teacher, Gao Weiwei said. 'I tell them a fairy story to explain how a baby is born.'
Ms Gao said they would also provide knowledge about homosexuality and HIV/Aids. On the final day, parents would be invited to receive training on how to talk to children about sex.
Ms Gao was confident about the effectiveness of the camp.
'The feedback from Nanjing parents was good because they said their children didn't feel timid about asking such questions,' she said.
Many teachers and parents avoid sex education as society is still generally conservative.
