PreSchool

Discovering your child and a friend playing “doctor” is likely to happen about this time. Try to be as calm as you can and redirect them. Shouting, “Oh my God! Put your clothes back on right this minute!” is likely to prompt them to explore this secret thing more at a later time. Far more learning will occur if you say something like, “Doctors have very special jobs that make it necessary for them to examine our bodies. Unless you are at a real doctor’s office it is important to keep your private parts covered. Body parts that a bathing suit covers are private. How about getting dressed and helping me walk the dog / bake cookies / etc.”

Continue to use correct words for body parts with your child. Terminology gives your child a powerful tool in the horrifying event he or she is sexually abused. Being able to explain exactly what happened can be very helpful.