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| Is Kids’ Interest in Nudity Normal?: What to tell your patients’ parents |
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by Monika B. Pis, PhD, CPNP - June 24, 2011
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Sexual behaviors are common in children. As early as at age 3 years, they might ask questions about genitals, explore their private areas, or run around naked. These behaviors may be normal; however, many parents might be concerned or confused about the age-appropriate sexual behaviors. Knowing which behaviors are age-appropriate could alleviate parental anxiety in that respect.
Children between 2 and 6 years of age may touch their genitals or try to view nudity of peers or adults; however, those behaviors would be considered normal for age if the child can be easily distracted from the activity, the activity does not happen often, and it passes with time.
TABLE 1. EXAMPLES OF COMMON NORMAL SEXUAL BEHAVIORS IN CHILDREN 2-6 YEARS OF AGE
Showing genitals to peers
Touching own genitals
Touching or viewing genitals of peers or new siblings
Trying to view peer/adult nudity
NOTE: The above behaviors are transient, few, and distractible
If sexual behaviors are escalating, frequent, or intrusive, there might signify a problem. Also, sexual behaviors that involve children of different developmental stages or involve coercion and control by one child are abnormal. These behaviors require an immediate intervention.
Dr. Monika Pis is the Editor in Chief of the health, safety, and nutrition sections of Plugged in Parents. She is a pediatric nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree earned at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She has provided health care to infants, children, and adolescents for close to a decade.
Dr. Monika’s special interests include nutrition, physical activity, and obesity. Since her motto is, “Prevention is the best medicine," teaching her patients the steps to being healthy is one of her professional missions.
The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.
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