Attitudes/Beliefs About Young Children’s Sexual Learning Scale (AB-YCSL)

Preschool children can be sheltered from sexual messages in our society.

Biology is the main influence on a person’s sexual attitudes and behaviors.

Masturbation is natural and healthy for children.

Sexual information is too complex for most preschool children to understand.

Adults/teachers must be careful not to allow little boys to act too much like girls.

Sexual learning for young children is primarily about where babies come from.

It is fine for young children to be curious about sexual topics.

Children receive positive messages about sexuality when adults use cute nicknames for genitals.

Most preschool children are too young to be able to use the correct names for their genitals (like “penis,” “scrotum,” “vulva,” and “clitoris”).

It is O.K. for preschool children to realize that their genitals feel good when they touch them.

It is better to use nonsexist language (i.e., “firefighter” instead of “fireman”) with young children.

Children should feel positively about sexuality.

It is O.K. to allow children to touch their own genitals when their diapers or pants are being changed.

Teachers who have strong religious beliefs about sex should teach these to the children they care for.

It is important to begin discussing sexuality openly in early childhood.

Traditional gender role stereotypes discourage responsible sexual behaviors for both genders.

Anatomically detailed dolls or picture books promote unhealthy sexual curiosity in young children.

Talking about sexuality with young children encourages them to experiment.

Adults/teachers need to understand their own attitudes about sexual topics since these attitudes may influence their children.

Adults/teachers must be careful not to allow little girls to act too much like boys.

Seeing children of the other sex without clothes on encourages children to experiment with sexual behaviors.

Preschool programs should only deal with sexual information; dealing with sexual attitudes and values should be left up to parents.

Preschool teachers should refrain from affectionately touching their children.

Children have the right to choose who they want and do not want to touch their bodies.

A positive rather than a punitive approach is better when handling children’s sexuality-related behaviors (like sex play and masturbation).

An early childhood sexuality program is adequate if it only deals with preventing sexual abuse.

Children should be encouraged to ask their teachers questions about sexuality.

A sexually healthy adult demonstrates tolerance for people with different sexual values, lifestyles, and orientations.