Where Do Babies Come From?

When Toni Moccia's 5- and 6-year-old sons asked her how babies were made, she told them about eggs and sperm and then took a big gulp before explaining how the two get together. "My 5-year-old started to laugh," says Moccia, of Santa Cruz County, California. "But when he saw the serious expression on my face, he suddenly became anxious and said, 'You're joking, right?' " Although kids this age may start wondering how they came into the world, the truth is that they're probably not ready to hear all the details yet. Though the subjects of genitalia, sexuality, and reproduction are intimately related in adults' minds, 5- and 6-year-olds don't necessarily make the connections we think they will. For example, just because a girl is curious about the fact that boys have a penis doesn't mean she knows that one is used for more than going to the bathroom.

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