Is it normal for my 3 yr. old (male) to be ( I think) over curious about private parts?

Sara - posted on 03/28/2012

Yep as others have said all kids do this. My son at 3 took a plate that had ketchup and chip dip on it and decided to experiment with it in the middle of the living room! My daughter who was 15 at the time came in almost crying she was laughing so hard! needless to say I had to take him upstairs and bathe him and then explain to him that it was his and if he wanted to touch it that was fine but not in the living room. I will have fun teasing him when he is older about that one.

Christine - posted on 01/26/2011

Completely normal for girls and boys...I took my daughter to a swimming lesson (she was 3) and we were in the changing room surrounded by other moms changing their children (boys & girls) when she asked in her loudest, clearest voice..."Mom, Can I have a penis?" We then had a discussion on why she could not have one. With all the other mothers smirking at our conversation...Any parent that has raised a toddler has gone through this. How long it lasts depends on how you and other influential adults handle it.



Try to remember that the embarrassing situations of today will make hilarious endearing stories of tomorrow...my daughter is now 17 and that conversation is just one of the most precious stories we sit and laugh about.

Ebony - posted on 11/16/2009

He is just curious! my son points out everytime Im using the bathroom peepee, but the other day he took a bath with his dad and discovered me and daddy has a peepee, and mommy doesnt. I told him mommy no pee, you and daddy yes! Maybe your son is realizing animals have different genders also

Victoria - posted on 10/24/2009

You are explaing it just fine. I have had that same talk with my 4 yr. old and now I'm havin the talk with my 2 yr. old it is just weird that we as the parent have to explain these things to our kids. But what you have told your son is the right way of telling him. And also have a male figure in his life explain it to him also.

Bridget - posted on 10/24/2009

Totally normal. My daughter names the people she knows (Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy, Daddy, neighbors, school friends) & then says what part they have. "Mommy has a who who", "Daddy has a ding ding". She's slowed down now but for a while it was constant. She recently told the nurse giving her a flu shot that the baby in Mommy's belly has a ding ding.

Christine - posted on 10/24/2009

My son is three and has been curious for quite some time. He knows now that boys/men have penises and girls/women have a vagina. He says the funniest things about it too. He said that my fiancee has a really big penis. Of course, I had to say it was just a normal size penis because that's not something I want him talking about to the relatives...especially my ex-husband! My son walked in on my fiancee in the bathroom and saw it when he was out of the shower and because it was bigger than his own, he decided that it was really big. Another funny sidenote: when my son was 1 1/2 to about 2, he would immediately stick his finger in his butt as soon as the diaper came off. Talk about curious!! Experts say that using the correct terminology is the best to not cause confusion and explaining to them that if they want to touch it explain that they do it in private and explain to them what private means. I'm getting ready for the touching any day now.

Christina - posted on 10/24/2009

Yuppers!!! Totally normal for toddlers to be curious about private parts!! We all went through that at their age.. Why I say that well, ask your mothers and mother-in-laws if you or hubby did that.The answer will be YES!!! My mother told me I would always point to the private parts, and ask what is that mommy. That is when she had a talk with me etc.

My son started the whole noticing the difference between boys and girls.. Nothing to worry about..just make sure you let him know the rules when he understands more..

Stacy - posted on 10/24/2009

When my son was 4 he was playing with the neighbor girl, and her mom found both of them under the bed in just their underwear. When asked what they were doing they said playing dr ... I was concerend, and angry. Then my mom told me it was normal, they are couriuose. So I had to sit down and explain what he did was wrong, aand had to tell him the difference between boys and girls. At that age it is hard, and they are gonna repeat what you teach them. Be happy he is listening, he will grow out of it. Just as he will this.

Andrea - posted on 10/22/2009

If you make a big deal out of it stop! I'm not trying to be rude, but its kind of like a temper tantrum, if you walk away while they are doing it they will eventually stop. Its just his way of getting extra attention. Try teaching him a new work like supercalifragalisticexpealoduoes or however you spell it. Its a fun word. Or just change peepee to winkie. Good luck.

Lynlee - posted on 10/22/2009

It's totally normal that your toddler is curious about private parts - it's just them realising that there are differences between girls and boys and being able to tell them apart. Our son did this a couple of months ago and was forever pointing out the penis on male horse toys and vaginas on the mares. It's no big deal.

Christen - posted on 10/22/2009

Thank you

Shirley - posted on 10/22/2009

it can be embarassing for a mom dealing with this stage. both my boys went through this. it's normal. don't make a big deal out of it. he'll outgrow it. both my boys did.

Jade - posted on 10/22/2009

Like most kids he is probably just excited to have learned something new. Maybe try explaining to him that its private and not something to talk about in public if it bothers you. Most people with children themselves will understand and probably wont be bothered by it

Christina - posted on 10/24/2009

Yuppers!!! Totally normal for toddlers to be curious about private parts!! We all went through that at their age.. Why I say that well, ask your mothers and mother-in-laws if you or hubby did that.The answer will be YES!!! My mother told me I would always point to the private parts, and ask what is that mommy. That is when she had a talk with me etc.

My son started the whole noticing the difference between boys and girls.. Nothing to worry about..just make sure you let him know the rules when he understands more..

Lynlee - posted on 10/22/2009

It's totally normal that your toddler is curious about private parts - it's just them realising that there are differences between girls and boys and being able to tell them apart. Our son did this a couple of months ago and was forever pointing out the penis on male horse toys and vaginas on the mares. It's no big deal.