News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Parents have slammed lessons on “self-stimulation” which encourages children aged between six and ten to touch their "private parts" in bed and the shower.

More than 240 primary schools in the UK have introduced lessons as part of the All About Me sex education programme for kids aged six to ten.

A teaching manual issued as part of the programme instructs children aged six to ten about “the rules of self-stimulation".

The Touching Myself section advises to tell the youngsters that “lots of people like to tickle or stroke themselves as it might feel nice", including touching their “private parts".

Shocked parents have hit out at the program, saying that children of such young ages should not be exposed to mature topics like masturbation, and some took their kids off school when the lessons were taught.

Matthew Seymour told the Mail on Sunday: “This sexualisation of our children is just totally inappropriate.

“They are calling it self-touching and they won’t use the term masturbation, but when you read it that’s exactly what they’re talking about."

Conservative MP David Davies also slammed the programme.

He said: “These classes go way beyond the guidance the Government is producing and are effectively sexualising very young children."

The manual states children touching their privates is “really very normal,” even though “some people may get cross or say that it is dirty."

(Image: Getty Images)

The kids are warned in the manual that it is “not polite” to touch themselves in class or other public places.

Youngsters are also advised they should “only” do it when they “are alone, perhaps in the bath or shower or in bed.”

Some education experts and teachers said the programme's wording was "too vague" and not suitable for primary schoolers.

Lynette Smith said: “We never use the word self-stimulation, not in primary school. For us it is not appropriate.”

Warwickshire County Council said lessons simply tell young students how to “distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate touching”.

It also said the programme “recognises" the difference between public and private behaviours.

One of the program’s authors, education consultant Jonny Hunt, hit back at critics of the programme.

He said: “However uncomfortable adults may find it, children of all ages will self-stimulate from time to time.”