What to do about preschooler showing privates?

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Permalink Reply by Sol Baby on February 8, 2009 at 1:00pm

thanks for the advice, that sounds good. i tried to check out your site last night and just now again, and it gives me a server error. just thought i'd let you know incase there were some technical issues.

thanks again!
gina

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Permalink Reply by Polkadot Patch Boutique on February 8, 2009 at 8:04pm

Sounds like something both of my children have done. It's curiosity, innocence, and discovery all rolled into one. Try not to let your "adult" interpretation make it bigger than it is. I'm sure the teacher was able to explain that private parts are private and that the behavior was inappropriate. We still remind our almost 5 year old that talking about her "gina" is private and something she doesn't need to do outside our home!

Hope that helps!

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Permalink Reply by TheScrappyMama on February 8, 2009 at 8:10pm

I have to agree with Polkadot Patch Boutique.

When my DD (who is 4.5 as well) first discovered a penis she was about 3 and it was one of my dad's bulls. She was extremely curious about it, so we went through the discussion that girls have vagina's and boys have penis's and that it's okay to talk and ask questions in the home, but it's really not something we talk about in public. So far, we haven't had an issue at mother's day out, but there is a first time for everything! I have been awaiting that call since she was 3.

I do think it's all childhood innocence and if you don't make too big a deal about it, it probably won't happen again.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by April on February 10, 2009 at 8:56pm

I just saw your post and wanted to respond. I'm a social worker who is forensically trained and testify in child abuse cases. What you're describing sounds like normal early childhood play and curiosity. You definitely should be talking to her about private parts and I have an article that I wrote on that topic on my blog. I hope you find it helpful.

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Permalink Reply by April on February 12, 2009 at 7:38am

Oh how i can relate... my 5 year old daughter decided to show her privates to our friends little boy while we were visiting their house. Prior too her doing this we were told they were flirting but i thought it was innocent. I was very embarrassed to say the least, and somewhat disappointed in her, actually i was shocked and didn't really know what to say or do. I told her that wasn't what little girls do and i never want to see or hear of it again. After doing a little research on the subject i was made aware that all children at some point become curious about their bodies and at some point realize that sometimes it feels good down there but showing their private parts is inappropriate and not a good thing. So this i explained to her and i think she understands and def. knows what she did wasn't good, especially if it's done in front of the wrong person. Scary! Oh, how i look forward to her teens...NOT!

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