Healthy sexual development

Sexual development and sexual play are natural and healthy in children. The following lists some of the age-appropriate sexual development you might see in your child:

Early childhood (birth - 3 years)

• Learns about love and trust through touching and holding.
• Explores own body (hands, feet, genitals).
• Boys - begins erection of penis.
• Girls - begins vaginal lubrication.

Late childhood (4-9 years)

• Engages in sexual play.
• Develops language to describe genitalia.
• Clearly knows the difference between male and female.
• Asks questions about pregnancy and birth.
• Masturbation.

Early adolescence (9-11 years)

• Puberty begins.
• Masturbation.
• Possible body exploration of others.

Adolescence (12-18 years)

• Puberty continues.
• Menstruation begins or starts sperm production.
• Masturbation.
• Possible pleasure from kissing and petting.
• Possible sexual intercourse.