My 6-year-old had a perverted dream?

Question

My 6-year-old told me last night that he dreamt that his art teacher was being perverted with a female classmate. Why would my 6-year-old dream of this? I asked him if his teacher ever acted like this in the classroom and he said "no." I couldnt finish the conversation because someone walked into the room. I don't know how to pick up the conversation without making him feel ashamed, etc.

Please tell me what you think, what you suggest. Thank you.

Answer 1

It could be possible that your child has developed a premature form of sexual interest and sexual preference early, even before puberty. This might affect earlier onset of puberty as well.

Do discuss with him and instead of finding out details of the dream, focus more on finding out what the whole incident means to him, as in what are his thoughts and feelings about it. He might be confused as to what it means. It doesn't matter if the dream was just holding hands or sitting beside each other. What matters is why does it have a perverted meaning to him.

Since he is young, i think you should guide him on this topic of sexual interest (not sex), making sure what you discuss with him are on the same level as his understanding. Answer difficult questions truthfully but also in a level that he understands.

Ignore him and he may seek his answers from friends who most likely don't know much about the topic either.

By the way, developing early sexual interest is normal although it doesn't happen often. It could be production of hormones kicking in early, or an effect of socializing with people, the internet and other forms of social influence.

Answer 2

You need some quiet time alone to gently explore, without instilling any ideas, some reason why he would come up with such a tale. I think a six year old would have to have some exposure to such ideas. But the caution is the we do not know what he means by "perverted". We know what it means, but what is the meaning for him. I once talked to a child who thought having sex was holding hands, and he had seen many people having "sex" in the park, but his mother hadn't. Still, he may have some idea that the teacher gives this girl special treatment - agian we do not know what this means, but he may treat her better than he treats others, who knows.
It is hard to maintain the attention of a 6 year old and you do not want to alarm him. We also do not want to ruin anyone's reputation without a reason to do so.
Tough situation. I wish you luck. You could also seek professional help. It is also important to know that boys at this age are particularly curious in a "bathroom" sort of way. I hope you understand what I mean. They are sensitive to what they think of as gross and sometimes revel in it. They are beginning to become more aware of their bodies and how they differ from others as they acquire a newer sense of self.

Answer 3

At six years old, children are learning to deal with their sexual ideas, this is called the Phallic stage. They are trying to deal with the ideas of who they are and who they want to become, they can develop innocent crushes on opposite sex adults. Usually it is an opposite sex parent, however if that parent is absent then they will find another authority figure. The dream probably doesn't mean anything, if the child actually says this happened in real life then you have a cause for concern. Don't go destroying someone's life just yet based on a dream-that is quack science.

Answer 4

Myu guesss is, your 6 year old probably seen something like that on television, someone being perverted to another. He probably likes the Art teacher and was thinking of that teacher, so when he went to bed, the memories of the thing he saw on tele, and the art teacher came together, and that dream was formed?

Answer 5

You probably should bring up the conversation again in a light manner. Most 6-yr.-olds are not as uncomfortable about that stuff as we are, so if you go about it in a relaxed manner he should be willing to open up pretty well.
For instance, find a project to do with just him and casually say,"You know that dream you told me about the other day? I was just wondering what YOU thought about it." If he talks about fine, if not, fine. Just give him the opportunity to say something about it so you can either act or close the subject with the warning mentioned above by Steven I.

Answer 6

We all have imaginations. When we sleep we are not in a state of rationality or total awareness.

If you make an issue of it, it will be just that. Don't ignore you instinct though. Le tyou son talk if he wants to.

There are a couple of books I've used to understand people and where they are at. Not for your son but to get an idea of where people are at.

The Emotional Tone Scale Booklet and Children.

Answer 7

Say: "So what was that dream about again that you had the other night. We were interrupted and I want to get it straight. I dream just about every night. I think it would be fun if we could compare dreams. "
Just don't share any explicit dreams you might have.
If something really happened the dream will recur. Sounds like it was playground talk and he remembered fragments of something another kid said jokingly.

Answer 8

at 6 years old he probably doesn't even know what "perverted" means...start by asking him what he thinks it means. I used to work in a day care center and once an 8 year old boy told me he had sex with another girl in the school. it turned out he thought holding hands and kissing her quickly on the lips was sex. she confirmed he held her hand and kissed her and they both thought that meant they "did it". you may be getting ahead of yourself with the worrying.

Answer 9

Continue the discussion with him. He has got the notion from somewhere and his sub conscience is releasing it in his sleep as it obviously a concern to him. I would be wary of this art class. Investigate - carefully.

Answer 10

6 year olds have no developed libido. So, he must have seen something or heard something going on with the art teacher. I would take him to a therapist and see if he opens up to him/her. Hopefully, this can be resolved.