The Fundamentals of Sex

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Curiosity about other people's bodies in completely normal for young children.

Parents need to check their own reactivity when dealing with naked play in their young children.

Parents need to understand what is motivating older children when they undress with friends or siblings.

With teens, frequent conversations are needed when dealing with questions about bodies.

"Playing doctor" is a time-honored way kids take their clothes off with their friends. If this hasn't happened yet in your house, be prepared, because it may. But don't panic! It is very common for parents to discover that kids are exploring their bodies while playing with friends or siblings.

How you handle the discovery should be determined by your child's age and stage of development and by the age of the friend or friends they are with.

For children from 1 to 5, it is entirely normal to be curious about one's own body and that of others. Taking clothes off together and even touching one another is not out of the ordinary. Children want to know whether others look like them or whether other kids look different. They are particularly interested in "private parts" or sexual anatomy and may especially want to see that part of another child.

Parents often feel anxious when they find their child naked or partially clothed with a friend or find two of their own children naked together. But again, for small children, this usually just a part of natural curiosity and exploration.

What about older children?

For kids six or so to 10 or 11, one usually........

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