Reducing Adolescent Sexual Risk: A Theoretical - ETR Associates

Activity 9-3Human Sexuality Board Game for Parent-Child ProgramsDescription of ActivityObjectives: Teens will be able to:Discuss various topics about sex more comfortably with their parents or other trusted adults.Risk and Protective Factors Affected:Parent-child communication about sexKnowledge about selected issues involving sexual behaviorActivity:Two teens and their parents play a board game.On the boards are many adjacent squares that form pathways around the board. Each pathway has a“start” square and an “end” square. The number of squares between the “start” and “end” squaresis the same for each pathway. All squares are colored red, blue and green (in that order) along eachpath.Players can start at the same square or different squares by placing markers on those squares. Eachplayer rolls a die and moves the marker the number of squares on the die in a clockwise direction.If the player lands on a blue square, he/she must draw a blue card from the blue pile of cards. Bluecards have a factual question on each card, which the player must read and answer. If a player landson a green card, he/she must draw a green card. Each green card has a question about values,attitudes or feelings regarding sexuality, which the player must answer. If a player lands on a redsquare, he/she must abide by the directions on the red square. These include directions such as“lose one turn,” “go back two spaces,” or engage in some other action that reduces the chances ofreaching the “end” square first and winning.In this activity, if a knowledge question is answered incorrectly, the correct answer should be givenby any of the other players. However, not answering a question does not affect the movement ofthe players.The first player to get to the end of the pathway (around the board) wins. If a player wins beforemost of the cards are drawn, then the game can be played repeatedly until all the cards are read.Important Considerations in Using ItThis activity is designed to be fun, but it is also designed to increase thoughtful discussions abouteach of the topics asked on the blue and green cards. It should not be rushed.The game may only be as good as the topics on the cards, so questions and topics that are importantand relevant for the age group should be included on the cards.If a player does not wish to answer a question, he/she may “pass” and that right must be respected.References for Lessons That Describe a Similar Activity More Fully1. Parent Child Sex Education Training Module, Human Sexuality Game (Note: This game can bepurchased by itself)Chapter 9 Increasing Parent-Child Communication About Sex 117