It's not a school's place to teach that kind of stuff!! But yes...IMO 5 is too young. Although I guess it depends on how they are presenting it and the maturity level of your child. My mom told me when I was 5 that HIV/AIDS was a bad virus that doctors didn't know how to cure. At that point (in 1989) there was nowhere near as much info as there is now. I remember asking my mom if AIDS was something I could catch and she told me "No, kids don't normally get it unless they are born with it." I was satisfied with that answer....I learned more about it as I got older.

What does a 5-year-old need to know about HIV/AIDS?  Very little, if anything at all.

I didn't know much, if anything, about that stuff until I was probably in junior high.  Even then I didn't know about it until I was looking at a history book that covered the 1980s.

I do think it is appropriate.  I doubt they will teach them about needles or sex or anything else.  I get the feeling they will teach them how they can't get the virus like from playing with a child that may have the virus (because they were born with it or whatever.)  They may tell them they can get AIDS from blood (becoming blood brothers etc).  It will be similar to what one of the posters said their mother told them about the virus.  If they sent a letter home and you don't want your child to participate, don't let her.  

I think its a good idea. HIV commonly is associated with sex so people think that the teachers will play the whole "std"route. The truth is that anyone can have it or they can be born with it. Its sort of the same as teaching how the cells work in the science fair and how they misfunction and lead to other problems. As long as they dont scare the children to death, I dont see why it would be a problem. They might learn something.lol.

I learned about it when I was about 7 - it was in our health books. It was a very non-specific sort of thing - we learned that it was a virus, that HIV develops into AIDS, and that it's dangerous and there is no cure. We may have heard the transmission types, but didn't focus on it much. I think it's a good idea...but 5? I can't imagine why. Wait a year or two, seriously. 

When is too young to teach tolerance? When is too young to eliminate fear? HIV/AIDs is complex both as a disease and as a socio-political issue- the sooner that it is introduced in a non-threatening way, the better.
I'm sure they will teach it in simplistic terms that are age appropriate. Kids understand more than you might think.

Let's hope it's either preceded  or followed with instruction on other viruses and hand-washing :)

at about 6 i just knew that hiv/aids was a disease with the blood, but thats becasue someone that lived in my apartment had aids, and we were friends with him and his family. I wasnt told about it really till sex ed in 5th or 6th grade. At 5 its hard enough to explain death, but to explain hiv/aids. Then you would almost have to explain sex and drugs with needles, since thats the main reasons its spread. You might as well explain the new health care system that obama is trying to pass with every detail as well. Shes going to understand that as much as she would aid and hiv. Schools really need to give it a rest. Most 5 year olds dont even know their phone numbers.

I have absolutely no problem with it. I trust that the school will be doing so appropriately--I suppose at least what is, in my mind, appropriately--and not giving uneccessary details. After all, what do Kindergarten students even learn about sex? Very little. Their sexual education consists mostly of Stranger Danger and inappropriate and appropriate touching, private places and what to do if someone hurts you, that sort of thing. I imagine that the discussion of AIDS/HIV will be limited to the fact that some people get bad diseases and can get very sick. But I'd like to hear what the teacher says about it. Everyone has a different opinion, and many schools have the option to elect not to have your child taught sexual education (at least here in Canada they did when I was in school) by the school. I think it is important for it to be offered in schools because, working at a school with many students who have "family problems", live in group homes, or are in poverty, often families don't teach these things to their children. SHOULD they? Asbolutely! But the fact that it doesn't happen leaves these kids confused and can have negative effects. Having a safe place at school to discuss it and learn is good, and teaches them not to be ashamed about sexuality. I think so, anyways.

First of all, if it's mandated by the state then the school doesn't have much choice in the matter. State standards must be met by schools, and teachers have to be the ones to distribute the content... it very well may be that your school agrees with you! Second, I am an elementary teacher myself and I'd say most teachers don't get the credit they deserve. I doubt that your child's teacher plans to teach the specifics/causes of the virus. At the kindergarten level, it would most likely be taught from a tolerance/community perspective. Some kids might be sick with something called AIDS. They have the same emotions that you do. They like to play, swim, eat ice cream, and ride roller coasters. They want kids to like them just like you do. You can't get AIDS by playing with those kids... so don't be scared of them. ect etc. That being said, I have taught Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and now 3rd grade, and I have never had to teach HIV/AIDS... I don't necessarily think it's something that SHOULD be taught that young... but complaining to your child's teacher probably won't help at all. Instead you should be voicing your concerns to the state education dept.