Please note that these links are just a collection of recommended resources for parents from different organisation (Respectful Relationships, Safer Schools, Headspace, Workforce/Diversity/Inclusion Dept, our Wellbeing Officer, etc)

Not all are endorsed by the Education Department, some are pitched at adults and older children, and some are about wider gender topics, but they offer general advice and insights and stories to aid parents to have conversations with their children. we ask that parents filter what they need and would feel useful for duscussion with their kids:

Respectful Relationships | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)

Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships - FUSE - Department of Education & Training

How to teach your kid what transgender means - Care.com Resources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53ipg9ImrPU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIwaQGHB1LU

My Shadow is Purple - YouTube

LGBTQIA+ books for kids — Readings Books

Hares and Hyenas

About (talkingthetalksexed.com.au)

Talking Trans With Your Kids - Family Equality

Rainbow Health Australia | Our Rainbow Lives resource available now

Parents of Gender-Diverse Children (pgdc.org.au)

Transcend Australia | Support for Trans, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary Children and their Families

While certainly not endorsed by the Education Department, you could try using AI (Chat GPT) to find answers to the questions your children ask. Here is a small sample:

1. "What does transgender mean?"

- You can say, "Being transgender means that someone's gender identity, how they feel inside, doesn't match the gender they were assigned at birth. It's about who they are inside."

2. "Why did the teacher change their gender?"

- You can say, "Sometimes, people discover more about themselves as they grow up. Just like how you may learn new things about yourself, the teacher realized their true gender is different from what people thought before."

3. "Can someone be both a boy and a girl?"

- You can say, "Some people might feel like they're both a boy and a girl, and that's okay. Everyone is unique, and it's important to understand and support them for who they are."

4. "Is it okay to have a transgender teacher?"

- You can say, "Absolutely! Just like any other teacher, what matters most is their ability to teach and help us learn. People should be respected for who they are, and having a transgender teacher is perfectly fine."

5. "How should we treat the teacher differently now?"

- You can say, "Treat the teacher the same way you did before. They're still the same person who cares about helping you learn. Just use the name and pronouns they prefer, and be kind and respectful, as you would with anyone else."

6. "Can anyone become transgender?"

- You can say, "Being transgender is about understanding and accepting who you are. It's a personal journey, and not everyone experiences it. People are different, and that's what makes the world interesting."

7. "What pronouns should we use for the teacher?"

- You can say, "Ask the teacher what pronouns they prefer. Pronouns are words like 'he,' 'she,' or 'they' that we use instead of saying someone's name all the time. Using the right pronouns is a way to show respect."

Community News

Premiers' Reading Challenge