14.4: Sexual Development in Early Childhood
- Page ID
- 225505
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Describe typical early childhood behaviors related to body awareness and curiosity.
- Distinguish between healthy sexual exploration and behaviors that may be cause for concern.
- Explain how adult responses influence children’s developing sense of bodily autonomy and sexuality.
- Identify age-appropriate strategies for supporting healthy sexual development.
During early childhood, children become increasingly aware of their bodies and how they function. This includes recognizing differences between boys and girls and understanding basic bodily functions. Curiosity about bodies is a natural part of development and can manifest in various ways, such as:
- Exploring their own bodies through touching or looking.
- Asking questions about body parts and differences.
- Engaging in pretend play that may include elements of imitating adult behaviors or scenarios that might highlight differences, such as kissing or playing doctor.
Healthy vs. Concerning Behaviors
These behaviors, when displayed spontaneously and innocently, are considered a normal part of childhood development. While curiosity about the body is typical, adults need to recognize the distinction between natural exploration and behaviors that may require guidance or intervention. Healthy, age-appropriate behaviors include occasional self-touching or self-stimulation, asking questions about where babies come from, or showing an interest in anatomical differences without becoming preoccupied by it. For example, as children grow, they are more likely to show their genitals to siblings or peers, and to take off their clothes and touch each other (Okami et al., 1997). Masturbation is common for both boys and girls. Boys are often shown by other boys how to masturbate. But girls tend to find out accidentally. And boys masturbate more often and touch themselves more openly than do girls (Schwartz, 1999).20
Concerning behaviors that may require further attention will likely include compulsive or excessive self-touching that interferes with daily activities, engaging in sexualized behaviors that mimic those of an adult, and/or coercive or aggressive interactions with other children regarding their private parts. If concerning behaviors arise, it is important for caregivers and professionals to approach the situation calmly and seek guidance from a pediatrician or child development specialist.
Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\). Healthy, age-appropriate behaviors are a part of natural sexual exploration in early childhood. When boundaries are crossed or behavior becomes concerning, guidance should be sought from specialists. Image on Pixaby is in the public domain.
Adult Reactions
Adults’ reactions to children’s curiosity about their bodies shape how they perceive their own sexuality and bodily autonomy. Negative reactions, such as scolding or shaming, can create feelings of confusion, guilt, or embarrassment. Instead, when sexual behavior occurs, adults should pause, redirect, listen, and teach. By pausing, adults can gather their thoughts and remain calm to consider the situation more effectively. Redirect sexual behavior by using positive guidance and giving children another way to engage. For example, you might say, "Let's go wash your hands and read a book". If the child(ren) involved can communicate their actions, follow up after the incident by asking open-ended questions and actively listening to their responses. Understanding what happened from the child's perspective helps us understand their intentions. This can inform the best approach for teaching safe, healthy sexual development (Virtual Lab School, 2023).
Encouraging Healthy Sexual Development
Ways adults may encourage healthy sexual development include:
- Provide honest and straightforward answers that are age-appropriate.
- Using correct anatomical terms for body parts to promote body positivity and knowledge.
- Provide basic information about reproduction (babies grow in a woman's uterus).
- Set clear and supportive boundaries around privacy and establish what behaviors are and are not acceptable.
- Explain the difference between wanted and unwanted touch.
- Reinforce the concept of consent, including letting children know that their body belongs to them and they can say "no" to unwanted touch, but that this also means being respectful of others' boundaries.