Of course I think it is normal and healthy.  It is after all the best way to explore our bodies and what we do and don't like.

When my children are showing indications of being interested and are more likely to listen, then I will talk to them about it and that they shouldn't feel 'dirty' about it, because we all experiment!  As for the age, well, every child is ready at different times.

I will even track down info about it for them and go through it with them so I can answer questions as soon as they come up.  Might get some tips for me too! lol.

lol! It's healthy and normal, and if I can do it, then I don't see how I can tell my children not to.

But, of course, like most of you have already pointed out, it's a private thing, and discretion in these things is something that is best learned early in life.

i tell my kids if the want to touch their privates, do it in private. i dont ever tell them its bad because i dont want them thinking they r bad for wanting to explore or whatever.

Tough question!  I have to admit it is something I was ashamed of growing up.  I tell my son it is normal to want to touch himself - but he is to do it in private and not to let anyone else touch him.  I also tell him he can't touch anyone else there. 

At the moment it is just curiosity and nothing sexual.  However I would be concerned as he gets older at using porn as I want him to learn to see women as beautiful and to be respected and not to be obsessed with sex - is that too much to ask (maybe for a teenage boy, I don't know).  I also want him to know that sex is something beautiful but to be shared with a life partner, not just anyone.  So how that fits in I am not sure.  I'm still working it out.

It is a normal and healthy human habit and when it is seen in Toddlers should be ignored as it is more about exploration then a sexual act, I know that it can be difficult to accept when it is being done in public or in front of relatives but all this needs is a diversion for the offending hand as for older children I would just suggest it is done in private.

 My 10 year old daughter has been doing this for quite some time. We have told her that it is a perfectly natural thing to do and not dirty BUT it is to be done in the privacy of her own bedroom. We caught her on the couch when she thought no one was awake and we had the sit down and chat thing. We didnt tell her not to or that it was disgusting (which is how I was bought up). Its fine as long as it is done behind closed doors.

seens as I asked the question here is my answer.

Now my hubby was brought up very religiously and was told that it was fine as long as he wasnt looking at lustful images (porn) and I am going to carry this on with my children, but if I find a mag or vid under their bed I wont yell or anything cause I cant as I have my own vid and mags in my room. I will more than likely just tell them it is fine as long as they are in their bedrooms/bathroom (basicly in private)

I was brought up that is was sinful and now due to that I have a very bad body image of myself and even after almost 10 years with my hubby I still have moments where I am ashamed of my body and freak if he looks at me. I dont want that with my kids.

I personally think it is a 100% natural thing and was once told by a friend that if you dont know what you like how can you tell your partner? that got me thinking. it still does.