Masturbation

Self-body or genital exploration is a very normal part of development for most kids. Usually starting around age 2, kids will be curious about their bodies and how they are the same as and different from other people’s bodies. They will also get a sense that if they touch their genitals, it can feel different. This will often lead them to put their hands down their pants at many inopportune times, including in the toy aisle at Target. It is best in these situations to try to distract while in the moment. At a later time, explain that it is very normal for them to inspect their own bodies, but we just do that in private.  And that it is not okay to inspect other kiddos’ bodies. 

Some kids around this time will also use body exploration as a way to soothe to bed or in other stressful situations. Again, this is normal for this age and can be explained or distracted away. If kids do this a lot, there can be some irritation, so it is OK to put some Vaseline or Aquaphor on sensitive and irritated areas if the kiddos are complaining of pain or irritation. 

Pediatricians do worry about body exploration at this age when the body exploration is mimicking adult sexual behavior and/or acts. Behaviors that kids don’t usually just think of on their own would be worrisome for exposure to these acts by an adult and would warrant concern for sexual abuse.

As kids get older and enter into the puberty years, preteen and teen masturbation and body exploration are normal and again should be done in private, which most pubertal kids and teens will naturally seek.