STAGES OF SEX PLAY IN CHILDREN

The following is a developmental review of the ages at which children are likely to exhibit the behaviors described. It is by no means an absolute in that each child matures at a different rate and thus will follow his or her own chronological behavior timetable. Use the info as a guide and for reassurance when you believe that the young'uns are "starting early".

2 ½ years - Child shows interest in different postures of boys and girls when urinating and interested in physical differences between the sexes

3 years - Verbally expresses interest in physical differences between sexes and in different postures in urinating Girls attempt to urinate standing up

4 years - Extremely conscious of the naval. Under social stress may grasp genitals and may need to urinate. May play the game of "show", also verbal play about elimination. Interest in other people's bathrooms; may demand privacy for self, but be extremely interested in bathroom activity of others

5 years - Familiar with, but not too much interest in physical differences between sexes. Less sex play and games of "show". More modest and less exposing self. Less bathroom play and less interest in unfamiliar bathrooms.

6 years - Marked awareness of and interest in differences between sexes in body structure. Asks more questions. Mutual investigation by both sexes reveals practical answers to questions about sex differences. Mild sex play or exhibitionism in play or in school restrooms. Plays games of "show". May play "Doctor" and take rectal temperature. Giggling, name calling or remarks involving words dealing with elimination functions. Older children subject some children to sex play; or, girls are bothered by older men.

7 years - Less interest in sex. Some mutual exploration, experimentation, and sex play, but less than earlier.

8 years - Interest in sex rather high, though sex exploration and play is less common than at 6. Interest in peeping, smutty jokes, provocative giggling. Children whisper, write, or spell "elimination" or "sex" words.

9 years - May talk about sex information with friends of same sex; interest in details of own organs and function; seek out pictures in books. Sex swearing and sex poems begin. Time to get blocking programs for the computer like Net Nanny or Mayberry.com

10 years - Considerable interest in "smutty" jokes.

Reprint from Child Behavior by Francis Ilg and Louise Ames