When your little one starts touching herself, don't worry, stress or get embarrassed. Your toddler has discovered a part of her body that may have gone largely unexplored during infancy. What's more, she might have learned that touching her genitals feels good. Your child's new discovery of her genitals is fueled by age-appropriate curiosity and is as innocent as her exploration of her fingers and toes. You may notice this behavior around the time you switch her to training pants accessibility is key or when you begin potty-training her private parts have now become the focus of a lot of public attention. Why does she keep doing it? Simple — because it feels good. Your toddler's touching of her genitals isn't masturbation and that also goes for little boys who get erections while playing with their penises.
8 Ways to Manage Childhood Masturbation
Why it happens
It is natural for children to express their sexuality and their interest in the differences between the sexes through their behaviour. How they do this depends on their stage of development. It is important to understand the difference between normal sexual behaviour and behaviour outside the expected range in each age group. Children are curious and always wanting to learn.
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Instead, stop and consider why this subject makes you squirm. If a child pulls his ear or strokes his arm, no one notices. So why do parents ignore the little boy who pulls his ear but worry and scold when he pulls his penis? Neither of these are true. Most children play with their genitals—expect this during childhood years, somewhere between the age of two and six. To a child, masturbation is a normal part of discovering these parts of his or her body and the pleasurable feelings that come from them. In exploring their bodies, babies discover that some parts feel more pleasurable than others. Once these areas are discovered those little hands are frequently found there.
Boys grow and develop both mentally and physically at different rates and ages. Ideally, you should begin introducing your son to his body, including his genitals, at an early age. Then, when it is time to talk about the sexual function of his body, it may not be as difficult. Use your judgment in determining when your son is ready for a conversation about puberty and sexuality.
