Popular Australian children’s sexuality education book, ‘The Amazing True Story of How Babies Are Made’, by Fiona Katauskas, has been adapted by media production company CJZ Worldwide into a three part animated documentary series for children, families and schools.
CJZ Worldwide engaged education and curriculum specialist, Dr Anne Chesher, a Senior Lecturer in Film and Creative Media at SAE Institute in Sydney, to design and produce the creative, interactive media as an educational resource for schools and families.
Through interactive technology, ‘The Amazing True Story of How Babies are Made’ is expected to play a role in reforming sexuality education in Australia and how it is delivered.
Animated and lighthearted, ‘The Amazing True Story of How Babies Are Made’ creates a comfortable platform for both teacher and child. The series is also accompanied by classroom guidelines for teachers and tips on how to handle curly questions from children.
Dr Chesher says that the adaptation of the book is a timely and important evolution in sexuality education resources to a more contemporary approach that is playful, inclusive and contemporary.
“With one in 24 children now conceived as an IVF baby and the increase in caesarean birth rates, it is vital that every child’s conception and birth is represented in sexuality learning. This also means that not only male sexuality, as is common in most traditional texts, but also that female sexuality is equally included, so that every child feels represented and included.”
The production is designed as a multiplatform, interactive experience that encourages teachers, parents, families and kids to revisit, learn and play.
“Developing and producing innovative social impact content that helps society is something I focus on closely with my Master's students at SAE Institute," Dr Chesher said. "The Amazing True Story of How Babies Are Made is a great example of meaningful content creation for social benefit.”