You don't need to talk about sexual consent with a toddler, but there is language you can use that they will understand. "Teaching consent and other important topics will be most effective if we use language and methods that consider the child's age," Dr. Duarte said. "Younger children may benefit best from simple words or phrases that they can understand, concrete examples ('Mommy and daddy can hug you, but a stranger should not'), visuals and pictures (showing what appropriate personal space looks like such as staying at arm's length), and stories. Parents of older children, teenagers, and adolescents can engage in more detailed conversations about consent and rights including discussions on sexual and romantic activity consent."