Equipment: Six of the best ... sex education tools
Monday, November 12, 2007
From pregnancy bumps to sexual health board games, there's a range of youth work aids. Janina Conboye reports.
1. RealCare Baby II-plus
The RealCare Baby claims to be just as demanding as the real thing. The child needs feeding, burping, rocking, its nappy changing and its head supported. Thanks to some clever software, the baby monitors the quality of care it receives, recording how many times its demands go ignored as well as the occasions it is held in the wrong position, handled roughly or violently shaken. It can be programmed to respond to one or two parents.
Price Depends on package
Available from www.lifechoice.co.uk
2. Contraceptive Display Kit
This briefcase-style holder contains a condom demonstrator, selected fpa factsheets and leaflets on sexual health, as well as various examples of male and female contraception. The kit is intended to be used in group situations where young people have little or no understanding of contraceptives and their proper use.
Price £60
Available from www.fpa.org.uk
3. Sex FM
An interactive video pack designed to examine young people's ideas on sex and relationships, teenage pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. It can be used either in schools as part of a sex and relationships education programme, or for sexual health sessions within other settings.
Price £15.99
Available from www.fpa.org.uk
4. Contraception: the Board Game
A twist on traditional board games, players advance around the board where they come into contact with various sexual health services, such as family planning, doctors' surgeries and pharmacies. At certain stages players are given the option to show the group how to put on a condom using the demonstrator or answer a question on a sex-related theme. A series of true or false statements are also included.
Price £39.95
Available from www.contraceptioneducation.co.uk
5. Safer Sex
This interactive DVD from Contraception Education provides open and honest advice on a range of sex-related themes. The video section features interviews with a community gynaecologist, outreach workers, young men and women and a mum who had her first baby at 15. The package is intended to help young people make healthy choices before entering into sexual relationships.
Price £39.95
Available from www.contraceptioneducation.co.uk
6. The Bump
The Bump simulator is designed to replicate the weight gain and changing body shape that occurs during pregnancy. It encourages people of all ages to empathise with the challenges of pregnancy. It fits young people and adults of both sexes.
Price £250.00
Available from www.thebump.co.uk.
