Healthy Sexual Behaviors in Children

Common and expected healthy child behaviors for infants and toddlers 0 to 2 years old:

• Curiosity about their body, including genitals
• Touching their genitals in public and in private
• Removing clothes and wanting to be naked

To encourage healthy development, parents can:

• Teach children the correct names for body parts (“penis,” “vagina,” etc.) and avoid using other terms which may confuse them.
• Explain the basic anatomical differences between a male and a female.
• Answer their questions in age-appropriate ways using simple, clear language.
• Begin to build your child’s feeling vocabulary by describing all observed feelings, not just those you believe to be related to sexual development. For example, if you observe your child’s anger or frustration, say “You seem angry that your sister doesn’t want to play.”

Common and expected healthy child behaviors for toddlers to young children 2 to 5 years old:

• Occasional masturbation as a soothing behavior, either publicly or privately
• Consensual and playful exploration of bodies with children of the same age, evolving to “playing house” or “playing doctor”
• Questions about sexuality or reproduction, like “Where do babies come from?” or “What makes girls different from boys?”
• Curiosity about adult bodies and expression of that curiosity in socially unacceptable ways, such as wanting to use the bathroom or shower with parents or touching a woman’s breasts
• Continued lack of caring about nudity, including the occasional removal of clothes
• Use of slang terms for body parts and functions

To encourage healthy development, parents can:

• Start answering children’s questions by asking them first what they think happens, then continuing the conversation with basic, clear, age-appropriate information. For example, say “Babies grow in a mommy’s uterus.”
• Encourage a basic understanding of privacy and appropriate behavior in certain situations. For example, if a family member requests privacy in the bathroom or if someone does not want to be touched or hugged, teach your child to respect those requests.
• Introduce the idea of healthy boundaries by explaining the difference between a wanted and unwanted touch. Teach children about personal boundaries so they understand their body belongs to them and they may refuse touches – like a stranger’s or relative’s hug – they don’t want without getting in trouble or hurting someone’s feelings.
• Teach children about respecting others’ personal boundaries. Explain that it’s important to ask before touching someone else, because that person might not want to be touched.
• Support and encourage your child to use words to express and describe their feelings without punishment for feeling negative.

Common and expected healthy child behaviors for elementary school children 5 to 8 years old:

• More use of slang terms to include “potty humor”
• A beginning understanding of cultural gender roles and acting in a more “gendered” way as they learn expected behaviors and norms, such as girls asking to wear dresses
• Engaging in activities that explore sexuality and bodies with same- and opposite-sex friends, such as showing or touching someone else’s private areas by mutual consent, kissing, etc.
• Continued masturbation, possibly for pleasure, more often in private than in public

To encourage healthy child behavior, your military family can:

• Promote a solid understanding of gender and how children experience gender identity. Children at this age may begin to identify as transgender, gender nonconforming or nonbinary but may not have the words for their experience or to express their confusion. These children will need strong and loving support from their parents. Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website for more information.
• Explain more of the basics of human reproduction, including the purpose of vaginal intercourse.
• Talk about the changes they can expect when puberty happens including rapid growth, body hair growth and emotional shifts, keeping in mind that puberty can occur before the traditionally referenced age of 12 or 13.
• Discuss the different sexual orientations that exist, including heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual.
• Teach that masturbation is something that occurs in private situations only.
• Continue promoting personal rights and responsibilities related to sexuality, like treating boys and girls equally.
• Continue teaching about respecting personal boundaries, as well as the ability to say “no” to any unwanted activity without feeling guilt or shame and accepting “no” from another with empathy and kindness.

Common and expected healthy child behaviors for middle school children 9 to 12 years old:

• Increased need for privacy and personal independence as puberty begins
• New interest in romantic relationships, including interest in wanting a boyfriend or girlfriend
• More curiosity about adult bodies and sexuality, including trying to see others naked and finding sexual content to watch or read
• Possible continued masturbation in private

To encourage healthy development, parents can:

• Offer children continuing information about puberty, including the physical, emotional and social changes that are normal and healthy for people their age.
• Give children age-appropriate information about sexual activities and behaviors, including sexually transmitted diseases.
• Encourage children’s critical thinking skills to separate reality from fiction in media portrayals of sexuality.
• Remind children that relationships – including friendships – require work to maintain and grow and teach them the qualities of a healthy relationship, such as respect and trust.
• Repeat the importance that they have a right to refuse any unwanted behavior from others and others have a right to refuse any unwanted behavior.