Parents should start explaining romance to their kids when they're in preschool – psychologist

Lester Kiewit interviews Charl Davids, a Registered Counselling Psychologist and the Director at the Centre for Student Counselling and Development at Stellenbosch University.

Listen below:

Earlier this week, a caller expressed concern during the show about his granddaughter’s primary school hosting a Valentine’s Day dance. 

He believed it was inappropriate for young children and questioned whether schools should be promoting such events. 

This sparked a discussion on whether parents should shield their children from romance entirely, or if it’s better to guide them through relationships in an age-appropriate manner.

According to Davids, parents should start talking to their kids about romance as early as preschool, but especially between grades three and six. 

At this age, children begin to form ideas about romantic relationships, largely influenced by observing their parents and other adults in their lives, and media portrayals of love – think 'happily ever after' and 'true love’s kiss'.

"Even in our fairy tales, they speak about romance."

- Charl Davids, Registered counselling psychologist, Stellenbosch University

Davids emphasises that children must witness affection between their parents, as they learn by example.

He explains that children often look to their parents' relationships as a model for their future ones, mimicking the behaviours they observe.

"It's important that parents show affection, show love, speak about it, and even say to children that 'I love you'."

- Charl Davids, Registered counselling psychologist, Stellenbosch University

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.