"Teach consent as a life skill—not just a sex skill—beginning in early childhood, and begin discussing consent and communication in the context of relationships by 5th or 6th grades, before kids start seriously thinking about sex." Parents can play an important role in helping young children understand consent, which is ultimately about good communication skills. Paying attention to body language, facial expressions, listening to one's own inner compass, and communicating wishes and boundaries are all skills that kids can learn and have years to practice. Before it has anything to do with sex.