we are worried our granddaughter is exposed to too much information in her home. Is it normal for her to ask about body parts at her age of 4 1/2. She seems preoccupied with her body and it's growth including the size of her chest!
2006-09-04 04:58:19 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
sure- you never got caught "playing doctor?"
children are curious about this- however, if they are VERY informed about ADULT sexual matters it's can be a sign of abuse. Other children might have told them things as well.
"Your Five Year Old-Sunny and Serene" by Louise Bates Ames says that the sex interest will tone down during the 5th year...
2006-09-04 05:08:05 · answer #1 · answered by R J 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think anyone under 10 should be sexually aware at all, other than knowing their own gender. Physically, there's little difference between girls and boys at that age anyway (except genitals which they might be curious about). If they're curious, that's fine, but if they're preoccupied because of what they've seen on television, I think that's unhealthy.
2006-09-04 05:00:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What have body parts got to do with sex? I think you are confusing the issues. Most young children are naturally curious about their body parts because the only thing they have to compare them to is what they see of their parents naked bodies & that of their brothers & sisters (is they have any). It is normal for a little girl to want to be a grown up woman with breasts. If you start calling things by their true & correct names, perhaps things wouldn't get so confusing for all concerned. Children emulate what they see & hear from the people around them.
2006-09-04 05:24:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's actually a normal part of development. children will begin exploring their bodies and compare their bodies to adults it may be shocking to learn that most will even "play with themselves." it has been like this since at least the 60s and 70s when a huge study was done (see below for link). while this is normal, it's important to encourage a good self-image. with today's society valuing "skinny women with big boobs" (that's all we see on tv and on magazines) it makes girls think that that's how they're supposed to look. this can be very harmful for a girl, especially when she doesn't look like that. here is a link that has info on how to teach a girl to love herself for who she is: http://www.empoweredparents.com/pages/EPbodyimage02.htm
however, if she's actually growing breasts already, this could be a sign that she's going through puberty early - take her to her pediatrician. and as someone else mentioned, if she's overly preoccupied, it can be a sign of abuse (rare situations). please don't be too concerned, as it is very normal for children her age to be curious about themselves sexually.
2006-09-04 05:20:08 · answer #4 · answered by gummydad 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I question the idea that there's a "should" here. Children vary. It depends on the particular child's karma and also on who they've seen/talked with lately. She may intuitively know she's going to be a woman, physically speaking, in 5-6 years' time and wants to learn early what it is about.
How would it be with you to give her answers within her level of understanding without feeling (and so letting her get the feeling) that there's anything to be embarrassed about, OR anything to be excited about?
2006-09-04 05:43:36 · answer #5 · answered by MBK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Physiologically speaking, children become aware of stimulus in their genitalia in this early stage of life(4-6) for the 1st time. It is simple biological impulse. They are not conscious of the stimulus and can often be curious about it. They are by no means ready to start learning about sex. As a Parent, you should be more conscious of their activity and who they are in contact with during this period( it will pass) and try to deal with it in as "ordinary" a manner as possible. If they ask questions about their body, keep it simple and specifically general. Please avoid negative re-enforcement to discourage them as this could cause many other complications for them later in life. Consult with a Pediatrician or Child Psychologist if you feel uncomfortable with your ability to deal with this.
2006-09-04 05:24:16 · answer #6 · answered by Pundit Bandit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Come on! What the Hell? Please forgive my vulgarity.
She is just a baby. Stand up and do something about this now!
I don't mean to be harsh. But there are things in life for babies.
There are things in life for adolescences, and there are things in
life for adults!
2006-09-04 05:05:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋