MOTIVE, INTENTION, AND AUTHORITY - RELATING DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH TOSEXUAL ABUSE EDUCATION FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Although sexual abuse education programs have proliferated in recent y ears, they are not without their critics. Criticisms have included wor ries that the programs are too developmentally sophisticated for young children. Unfortunately, no writers have systematically examined prog ram content in light of the developmental level of preschool-aged chil dren. This article explores important linkages between developmental t heory as it relates to children's understanding of motive, intention, and authority and two methods used to educate preschool-aged children about sexual abuse. Current developmental research offers clear possib ilities for improving and evaluating these extant curricula. In additi on, future topics for basic developmental research related to sexual a buse are proposed.