Parents and children often dread having the “birds and bees” conversation.

It can be awkward. It can be embarrassing.

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department hopes to ease the conversation with the family-based class “Kids Need to Know.”

The classes are geared for fifth- and sixth-graders, and they meet for two hours once a week for five weeks.

The classes, which use videos, games and other activities, cover topics such as reproductive body parts and purposes, puberty, pregnancy, childbirth and sexually transmitted diseases.

All courses begin with a parents-only night where curriculum and materials are discussed and questions are answered. Following parents’ night, the courses continue with weekly parent-child sessions. One parent accompanies the child to each class.

The class for boys will be Tuesdays, March 23 through April 20. The girls’ class will meet Thursdays, March 25 through April 22.

All classes meet from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the second floor of the Community Health Facility, 200 Maine. The cost is $50 per family.

For more information, visit ldchealth.org or call 843-0721.