22d • 🧸 Grooming
Correct Names for Body Parts
In my years working in child safety and self-defence education, there is one simple practice that consistently stands out as both underestimated and incredibly powerful. Teaching children the correct anatomical names for their body parts.
On the surface, it may seem like a small detail. Just a matter of language. In reality, it is a foundational layer of awareness, protection, confidence, and self-respect that can follow a child throughout their entire life.
Teaching correct anatomical language is not simply an educational exercise. It is a protective strategy. It is an empowerment tool. It is a confidence builder. It is a way of telling children, without ever needing to say the words directly, “You have a right to understand yourself, protect yourself, and speak your truth.”
I completely understand why this can feel awkward for you as a parent, carer, or educator. Many of us were raised in households where body parts weren’t openly named, where questions were brushed off, or where the topic was wrapped in discomfort, jokes, or silence. That conditioning doesn’t just disappear because we become adults. It sits quietly in the background and shows up the moment we consider saying the words out loud to a child.
If you ever find yourself thinking, “This feels weird to say,” I encourage you to ask a simple question: Is it actually weird… or is it just unfamiliar? There is a big difference. And unfamiliarity is not a reason to avoid something that can protect your child.
Children who understand the correct names for their body parts develop a clearer relationship with their own physical selves. Their body becomes something real, understandable, and worthy of care. This sense of familiarity fosters ownership. It sends a quiet but important message: "This is my body, and I am allowed to understand it." That awareness alone is a critical pillar of self-protection. A child who knows what their body is and how it functions is more likely to notice when something is wrong, uncomfortable, or inappropriate.
Accurate language also gives children the ability to communicate clearly. Whether it's, “My stomach hurts,” “My knee is sore,” or “Something feels wrong with my testicles,” carers can respond more quickly and appropriately. This is essential in everyday situations such as illness or injury, but its importance becomes even more powerful in moments where safety is at risk. Clear words cut through confusion. They reduce misunderstandings. They give caregivers, teachers, and healthcare professionals an accurate picture of what a child is experiencing. This also allows them to engage more confidently in discussions about hygiene, health, reproduction, and overall wellbeing without unnecessary confusion or embarrassment.
Another quiet advantage of proper terminology is the reduction of shame and secrecy. When children are taught that certain body parts are “silly,” “naughty,” or “not to be named,” it creates a subconscious message that those parts are something to feel embarrassed about. That is exactly the environment where confusion, silence, and vulnerability can grow. But when body parts are referred to in a calm, neutral, and matter-of-fact way, children learn that their body is normal. There is no need to whisper, hide, or feel uncomfortable. This approach becomes especially important as children grow older and experience the physical and emotional changes of puberty. Normal language creates normal conversations.
From a self-defence and safety perspective, the impact cannot be overstated. Children who know the correct names for their body parts are far more capable of describing inappropriate behaviour if it occurs. They are also harder to manipulate. Abusers tend to rely on secrecy, confusion, and vague language. When a child has the vocabulary to clearly describe what happened, the power dynamic shifts. Their clarity becomes a protective barrier. It is no longer just a confusing or unexplainable feeling. It is something they can articulate, report, and seek help for.
This knowledge also lays the groundwork for healthy conversations about boundaries and consent. It becomes much easier to teach them that their body belongs to them. They begin to understand that they have the right to say no, to feel uncomfortable, to ask questions, and to expect respect from others. In my work, I’ve seen how empowering this can be.
Just as importantly, this practice teaches respect for others. Children who learn to refer to their own bodies properly are more likely to demonstrate the same respect toward the bodies of others. It becomes a natural extension of their understanding that everyone deserves personal space, dignity, and safety.
I also remind parents that they don’t need to deliver a formal “talk” or make it a big moment. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or uncomfortable. In fact, the best approach is to make it completely ordinary. Children learn best in passing moments. During bath time, while getting dressed, during a question in the car, or when they’re hurt and you’re helping them. Those natural moments remove the pressure and make the words feel normal, because they are being used in a normal context.
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Correct Names for Body Parts
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