I think you should teach the child early, or else their friends in school will. That's how i found out. I was about, 6 or 7 when i FIRST heard about sex. I found out from the boys and girls in my school....

My mom never gave me the "sex talk".. I suppose she figured i already knew.

I would have LIKED for her to have talked to me about it, when i was around 10 or so, so that way i would know exactly what went on etc, whereas the kids from school told me all sorts of things oh gosh, i can't even remember all of the crazy things they said.

My little brother is CONSTANTLY asking questions to my mom, he's 11, and he learns EVERYTHING from school.. He once asked my mom if the loger you had sex, determined how tall or short the baby was.. My mom seems completely comfortable with telling him this stuff, but i think she should have sat him down, told him whats "To come" etc...

I think it was alot easier with me... My parent's just mentioned here and there "You can't have sex now that your offically a WOMAN"

Although we did have sex education in school.. I first had it in 5th, and then had it in 8th, and will be having it again this year.. Every year it gets more detailed...

So, to answer your question, I think sex education should be taught at an early age, and i think parents should answer if they're children ask, open and honestly.

But that's just my opinion.