New York City public school students as young as 4 are being taught about HIV in kindergarten through a revamped curriculum introduced in September. The curriculum uses a book called “These are My Eyes, This is My Nose, This is My Vulva, These are My Toes” by Lexx “The Sex Doc” Brown-James which explains concepts like gender identity and uses terms like vulva and penis. The lessons aim to lay the foundation for learning about HIV, which can lead to AIDS, as the students progress through the program. The “Growing Up and Staying Safe: New York City K-12 HIV Education Curriculum” was created in response to state-mandated HIV/AIDS lessons and was partially funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The curriculum has garnered mixed reactions from parents, with some feeling it is inappropriate for such young children. One Upper West Side mom and co-founder of a non-profit organization voiced concerns about the graphic content being introduced in schools instead of at home. Another Brooklyn mom was alarmed by the level of detail being provided in kindergarten, worrying about what would be taught in subsequent grades. The curriculum progresses in difficulty as students advance through the grade levels, with first graders learning about how HIV can be transmitted through body fluids and blood of an infected person, while second graders explore topics related to blood and medication, and third graders identify ways HIV can and cannot be passed.
In March, teachers were offered credit-eligible webinars on HIV education to assist them in teaching the updated curriculum effectively. The Office of School Wellness Programs provided sessions such as “HIV Education: Exploring Curriculum Concepts and Skills” and “HIV Education: Strategies for Effective Instruction” to help teachers incorporate the new material into their lesson plans. The curriculum, which was last updated in 2012, was announced in September and incorporates feedback from educators and student focus groups. The aim of the new program, according to schools Chancellor David Banks, is to promote equity, anti-bias, and social-emotional learning competencies, reflecting a commitment to student health and well-being, inclusivity, respect, and access to quality sexual health education.
The book used in the curriculum, “These are My Eyes, This is My Nose, This is My Vulva, These are My Toes,” goes beyond basic anatomy and introduces concepts like gender fluidity and using gender-neutral pronouns. It encourages children to ask for preferred terms when addressing others and includes characters who do not identify strictly as male or female. Some parents find these topics to be too advanced for young children and believe they should be taught at home rather than in school. Concerns have also been raised over the escalating level of detail in the curriculum as students progress through the grade levels, with fears about the content becoming even more explicit in later years. These concerns have prompted a debate on the appropriateness of introducing such topics to young children in the school setting.
The expanded HIV curriculum is part of the city’s efforts to provide comprehensive sex education to students from a young age, with a focus on inclusivity, respect, and accurate information about sexual health. Resources such as webinars for teachers have been developed to support the implementation of the new material in classrooms. The curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand HIV/AIDS, promoting safe practices and fostering a supportive environment for all students. While the content has sparked controversy among some parents, it reflects the city’s commitment to addressing important public health issues and promoting diversity and inclusivity in education.
