Final answer:
During the latency period before puberty, the sexual instinct is dormant and inactive. It becomes active during puberty.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the period before puberty, known as the latency period, sexual feelings are dormant. This means that the sexual instinct is inactive and not yet fully developed. Children at this stage focus on other aspects of their lives, such as school, friendships, hobbies, and sports. It is during puberty that sexual instinct becomes more active and comes to the forefront of an individual's consciousness.