I caught my 4 yr old daughter pleasuring herself and I don't know what to do, help?

Occasional masturbation is a normal behaviour in preschool-age children and most commonly occurs "when a child is sleepy, bored, watching television, or under stress," according to a 2002 advisory in the annual journal Clinical Reference Systems. The advisory states that up to one third of preschool-age children discover masturbation while exploring their bodies. They often continue to masturbate simply because it feels good. Some children masturbate frequently because they are unhappy or under stress or are reacting to punishment or pressure to stop masturbation completely. Once a child discovers masturbation, he or she seldom stops doing it completely, according to the advisory. It is not abnormal or excessive unless it is deliberately done in public places after age five or six, when most children learn discretion and masturbate only in private.

"It is impossible to eliminate masturbation in a child. Accept the fact you're your child has learned about it and enjoys it," the advisory states. "The only thing you can control is where he or she does it. A reasonable goal is to permit it in the bedroom and bathroom only. . . . If you completely ignore the masturbation, no matter where it's done, your child will think he or she can do it freely in any setting."

This Site Might Help You.

RE:

I caught my 4 yr old daughter pleasuring herself and I don't know what to do, help?

First of all let me say that I am shocked. I have never heard of a child so young masturbating and I am a bit uncomfortable knowing my daughter does this. I walked into my daughters room last week to say goodnight and she was lying on the bed with her legs spread and her underwear pulled down to...

Don't panic!

It is absolutely normal for small children to go through a phase that involves genital interest. Often it occurs between about 4 and 6 years old. Most of us only remember the second phase that occurs often around 8 or 9. Usually overtaken by other interests.

Making a fuss is pretty pointless as the interest will soon fade. Most of us cannot remember it. Just keep her busy and make sure that she is under appropriate adult supervision when not with you. Talk to the Nursery Manager who will give a professional perspective.

Personally I would ask a Professional to do the asking about possible sources of that behaviour. However, she clearly is undergoing the hormonal changes that gives rise to pleasure in that phase [as she likes doing it at the moment] and may well be simply curious after feeling the sensations without any outsider influnece whatasoever.

So long as you have made sure that she is in appropriate contact with other people you needn't worry.

Don't freak and yell at her!!! Her behavior is normal, she's curious. It doesn't mane she's sexual deviant or anything of the sorts. Don't make her feel bad or ashamed it will only hurt her sexual health when she's old enough to be active. She's not doing it to "pleasure" herself sexually, her little brain doesn't connect the two. Please don't yell at her, women are embarrassed enough and ashamed about their "parts". It's normal for children to be curious and explore themselves. She's not going to be damaged if she touches herself down there. She needs to know it's not something she does around other people, and maybe knock from now on, announce your coming and leave it be

That's so young 😱 I never heard this you must be from the states. Here in Canada we punish children plus you have to understand that's to young if she was 12 or 14 than its normal has long has she doesn't do it in public

she is just exploring her body, as many people here have said children do masturbate they just don't know the sexual meaning behind it. She just found something that she thinks feels good she will probably grow out of it with time just tell her thats something that should be done in private yelling at her will not help anything. if you are still concerned talk with her doctor about it at her next appointment. Im sure they will tell you the same thing that it is perfectly normal.

Very normal for a boy or girl to touch themselves at this age.. However you should have never yelled at her and told her it was dirty.. Now she will grow up thinking it's dirty all her life. Granted she shouldn't do it in public or out in the open but it's pretty fair game when your in your room with the door shut.. I have a 9 yr. old and I have to get onto him for touching himself out in the open.. What you do in your room is your business but mommy doesn't want to see it.. That's what I have told him since he was 2.

I think all children go through an exploring stage, i don't think they are "masturbating". My daughter is 3 and ive caught her trying to look "down there" and even touched it but she wasn't masturbating she was just curious. I wouldn't tell my child that this behavior is only for adults to do, that would confuse them even more and i also wouldn't yell about it (although i know you say you didn't mean to). Just try and teach your daughter about germs and infections and also that no1 is allowed to touch private parts. Good Luck.

Girls Caught Playing With Themselves

its a stage in the young ones called 'the anal stage' when they play with their private parts. at least this young girl is cautious enough to do it in private as i have seen other kids doing it in public because they simply dont understand what they are doing. they feel good when they touch 'these' parts of their bodies and they keep doing it to feel good. in addition to this they are still dicovering everything around them including what happens when they touch certain parts of their bodies. yelling at her is not a good idea but rather explaining to her to do it in private and also asking her not to allow any other person to touch her in the same manner as this is her body you could also ask her what she feels when she does that. make her own her body by talking to her, encourage hygiene to avoid infections. above all keep communication lines open so that the young girl grows up knowing she can trust you with everything. all the best in your endevours