Human Development and Sexual Health

The following resource has been developed to provide you with valuable information and programs that can improve the health of the children at your school. The resource consists of a variety of agencies, community based programs and services, and resources relevant to healthy growth and development. The resource has been developed according to the Ministry of Educations Foundations for a Healthy School framework.

• Quality Instruction and Programming
• Healthy Physical Environment
• Supportive Social Environment
• Community Partnerships

Quality Instruction and Programs

Please let us know at  chintake@halton.ca if you find a broken link.

• Always Changing (grade 5)
  A program designed to teach grade 5 and 6 students about the early stages of puberty. It is promoted by OPHEA and is directly linked to the Healthy Living strand of the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum.
• Body Image
  • More to Me Than What You See  996KB
    Facilitators Guide: A health promotion program for grades 4, 5, & 6 to help girls develop healthy body image and self esteem.
  • Student Journal  1.3MB
    Participant handouts for the More to Me Than What You See program.
  • Healthy Living...Healthy Children.
    Helping children to eat healthy, be active and feel good about themselves:  A resource guide for parents and caregivers to promote healthy lifestyles in children. Parent booklet coming Spring 2009.
  • Helping Children Feel Good About Themselves.
    
• Community Resources for Body Image 20KB
  Resource list of community based body image supports for parents, educators and group facilitators.
• Canadian Federation for Sexual Health Information on a wide range of sexual health topics.
• Changes in Me (grades 4- 6)
  Program developed to complement the grade 4, 5, and 6 growth and development curriculum and assist teachers with puberty lessons.
• Go Girls
  A group mentoring program that is designed to address the physical activity, healthy eating and positive self-image needs of young women ages 12-14.
• Communities and Schools Promoting Health
  Lesson plans and classroom based learning activities (categorized by grade level) for teachers and those who support teachers. Lesson plans are consistent with the provincial curriculum guidelines.
  • Family Studies
  • Sexuality
• Ontario Physical Health Education Association (OPHEA)
  Resources, ideas and supporting documents to help teachers address Health and Physical Education strands of the Ontario Curriculum.
• Sex Information and Education Council of Canada
  Information on the most current research in the area of human sexuality.
• Sexualityandu.ca
  Resource with downloadable lesson plans, student web quests and teaching strategies, in addition to general information on a variety of sexual health topics.
• Talk to Me (grade 7 & 8)
  Sexuality education resource for educators working with youth in grades 7 & 8.
• Teaching Puberty You Can Do It!
  Online video from Toronto Public Health designed to help teachers prepare for grades 4 - 6 puberty lessons. Includes role modeling of lessons taught by sexual health educators and suggestions from experts for how to deal with challenging situations.
• Teachingsexualhealth.ca
  Resource featuring downloadable lesson plans, Q&A section for teachers and students, teaching strategies, and up to date sexual health information.

top of page

Healthy Physical Environment

Please let us know at  chintake@halton.ca if you find a broken link.

• Helpingout.ca
  Website created by the Rainbow Resource Center to help schools create an environment that is safe and welcoming for diverse students.

top of page

Supportive Social Environment

Please let us know at  chintake@halton.ca if you find a broken link.

• Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education
  Guidelines designed to help develop and improve sexual health policies and programs.
• Children and Sexuality: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers 1.5MB
  Resource booklet designed to help parents and caregivers become more comfortable discussing sexuality with young children and increase awareness of normal sexual development and behaviour in young children.
• Children and Healthy Sexuality  286KB
  Resource tip sheet designed to help parents and other caregivers become more comfortable discussing sexuality with their children.
• Developmental Assets
  Organization that provides information and resources on the 40 developmental assets.
• Healthy Sexual Development: What Can You Expect? 309KB
  Resource tip sheet which highlights normal sexual development of children from 0 to 12 years of age.
• Talking with Children about Healthy Sexuality
  Information and resources that can help parents/caregivers talk to children about healthy sexuality.
• Thrive! The Canadian Centre for Positive Youth Development
  Organization that has information and resources on the 40 developmental assets. It provides innovative and well-researched programs, products, training and services for youth, parents, educators, and community leaders in order to foster positive youth development.

top of page

Community Partnerships

Please let us know at  chintake@halton.ca if you find a broken link.

• Family Doctor
  List of family physicians in Halton who are accepting new patients.
• Halton Organization for Pride and Education (HOPE)
  Organization which provides anti-homophobia training and education resources, as well as providing services for LGBTQQ persons and their family and friends.
• POSSE Project
  A peer outreach support service run by youth for youth living in North Halton. The group aims to support and encourage safer decision making in reducing the risks associated with drug use, sex, homelessness, violence and discrimination.
• Sexual Health Clinics
  Locations, hours of operation and contact information for Halton Region’s sexual health clinics.
• Telehealth Ontario
  A free, confidential telephone service to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse.