2yr old doing innapropriate things....

[Anonymous]

My 2year old charge has recently discoverd that running her privates on things feels good... I have read that this is normal
For kids her age and I do not feel this is coming from any sort of molestation/innapropriatness as I am with her 12/14 hours a day, change her diapers and KNOW her parents woul not harm her. Also, There are no other family/friends/caregivers in her life... So assuming this is all normal, how should I redirect/let her know this is not okay to do in front of people?

[Anonymous]

It is completely normal (and not really "inappropriate" unless she is doing it in public, which I am guessing is not happening). It is not sexual, it really is just about a child learning what their body does. Talk to her parents about it and see how they would like you to approach the situation. Be careful of making her feel ashamed or scolding.
My charge is three, she does this too, usually when we are reading books or just before nap, I pretty much just ignore it (and her mother who is a pediatric psychiatrist does too).

[Anonymous]

Don't say anything about it, just ignore. If you make a big deal out of it, she'll think it's bad or do it more just to get a reaction our if you.

[Anonymous]

And 12-14 hours a day? When does this poor girl see her parents? SMH

[Anonymous]

My newly 3 year old charge has been doing this for 6 months now. DB and MB have decided that when she starts to do it in the living room (where she always does it), we tell her right away that she can only do it in the play room do her room by herself. She's caught on now.

[Anonymous]

How long have you been working with her, OP?

[Anonymous]

20 years preschool/nanny here, totally normal, nap time at preschool can be a little creepy for new teachers. You can let her know to save it for nap time, no shame, it's a private thing.

[Anonymous]

What about when the child gets older? My charge started this at about age 3 and it lasted for a few months. She is now 9 and starting to do it all the time. She has three siblings and does it right in front of them. I believe MB has spoken to her in the past and told her that its private. I don't want to make her feel shameful but it really is inappropriate. She doesn't seem to care who is around at that time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about when the child gets older? My charge started this at about age 3 and it lasted for a few months. She is now 9 and starting to do it all the time. She has three siblings and does it right in front of them. I believe MB has spoken to her in the past and told her that its private. I don't want to make her feel shameful but it really is inappropriate. She doesn't seem to care who is around at that time.

You need to be strict with her then. At nine years old, she knows what is and isn't okay. When you see her start to do it, sternly tell her she needs to go to her room or go somewhere else in private.