As a follow-up to the Human Sexuality Symposium held in March earlier this year, the Archdiocesan Family Life Commission (AFLC) and the Catholic Religious Education Development Institute (CREDI) are continuing their outreach to parents, catechists, educators and interested persons with its Beyond the Birds and Bees Virtual Reading club (Part 2) in July – Tuesday, July 2, 9 ,16, 23, 30. If you missed Part 1, you are welcome to join us.

“The information on sexuality is being broken down and our experiences are brought into the discussions. These are making it simpler for me to understand and to pass this knowledge on to my children. The process of answering those ‘hard’ questions about sex with my child is a lot easier than I thought it would be…It is creating a bond to help our children develop in a healthy manner.”

These are some comments from parents at the Beyond the Birds and Bees Virtual Reading Club.

The focus is on the crucial role of middle and late childhood in sexual and moral formation. This period, termed “the years of innocence,” spans from about age five until puberty. During this time, children develop their gender identity and learn gender roles, forming the basis of their understanding of what it means to be a man or woman.

The book emphasises the importance of parents in guiding their children’s moral development. Parents are encouraged to foster generosity, self-denial, and self-reflection in their children, while also providing clear moral standards.

A key aspect of this developmental stage is learning self-mastery. Children must learn to use their intellect to control their emotions and urges, not by repressing them, but by finding appropriate ways to express them. This process is referred to as sublimation, which has both psychological and theological meanings.

The passage also mentions six important milestones in moral development for children 6–10, suggesting that early childhood experiences lay the groundwork for these later developments. Overall, this period is presented as critical for shaping a child’s moral compass and sexual identity.

Six important milestones in the moral development of children 6–10 are:

• Continuing to facilitate emotional mastery
• Modelling good relational skills
• Taking steps to foster healthy conscience formation
• Understanding how God creates men and women to work together, sharing their unique gifts and abilities based on both their gender and their common humanity
• Handling early questions about sex
• Setting appropriate but gentle limits around masturbatory activity

Feedback from participants:

1. Many participants found the breakout sessions particularly valuable. One respondent stated, “The sharing in the small groups” was most helpful, while another appreciated “The discussion and sharing in small groups. The ‘rooms’.”
2. The opportunity to learn from others’ experiences was highly valued. One participant noted, “Having persons sharing their experiences and also the facilitator relating the material to our society and culture” as most helpful. Another mentioned, “Listening to other persons’ experiences who have been in my situation before.”
3. Several responses focused on specific parenting strategies. One participant found “tips to building healthy relationships” most helpful, while another appreciated “Shifting my parenting style to help build healthy kids. The session continues every Tuesday in July, 6–8 p.m. via Zoom. To join in on the session, please WhatsApp 299-1047 or email familylife@catholictt.org