Sexual Development in Young Children
Here's some information and tips based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Healthy Children website
These behaviors are normal and adults should try to redirect children to more appropriate behaviors. Simply remind them that these are private activities
- Touching/masturbating genitals in public or private
- Looking at or touching a peer's or new sibling's genitals
- Showing genitals to peers
- Standing or sitting too close to someone
- Trying to see peers or adults naked
Some sexual behaviors may be “red flags” rather than harmless curiosity. And may indicate sexual abuse or exposure to sexual activity:
- Occurs frequently and cannot be redirected
- Causes emotional or physical pain or injury to themselves or others
- Is associated with physical aggression
- Involves coercion or force
- Simulates adult sexual acts
See https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/preschool/Pages/Sexual-Behaviors-Young-Children.aspx for more
