I have had that happen to a family member. My cousin actually took her daughter to the hospital because she thought something was wrong. Her doctor checked her out and nothing was wrong. They told her it was  normal and she found it and realized that she could get a sensation from it. She does not do it anymore

My daughter did this too and I agree with Arna that as long as they are taught there is a time and place for this and you don't make a big deal out of it they soon forget about it. I see it as no different then rubbing your earlobe for comfort there are no sexual feelings going on just comfort and exploration especially around the time that they potty train as they are now able to touch there freely and don't have the restraint of a nappy.

Gently tell her it is ok to do but it must be done in private and try not to over react to it as it may become something that she can gain attention from therefore she will do it more.

We have 5 girls ranging in age from almost 5 years down to 15 weeks old.  All of them, including the baby, have had a fascination with their genitals since they have been able to reach them.  It is a normal part of them exploring their bodies and we ignore the behaviour as much as possible.

It is important to allow our children to explore their own bodies without us telling them it is wrong or dirty.  A child who is prevented from self exploration will more than likely be a sexually inadeqete adult and find it hard to maintain a relationship for long.  A child who is raised in an open minded enviornment and taught when it is appropriate, not what, then they are more likely to be well adjusted adults.

These days, we often jump to conclusions about where this behaviour is coming from, and try to stop our kids from doing what is normal, and that is wrong.  We need to teach them to be comfortable with their bodies and know their own bodies so that they will be more comfortable with who they are.

Our 5 year old has now pretty much stopped, but that is mostly because she frightened the living daylights out of herself.  She was playing in the loungeroom one night after a bath while I was getting night time drinks and all of a sudden, she came running to me crying and saying she had lost a bead.  Naturally, it had to be inspected to make sure she hadn't done herself damage, and thankfully, the bead had fallen out itself, but she was still a littel sore for a few days.  Seriuosly, you had to be there to see the change from hands in the pants all the time to it being just an absent minded occassional occurance.

Our other girls have all done similar things too, and we actually believe that because we haven't made a big deal about it, that toilet training has been a lot easier as well.

The sweating and going red could be because she still doesn't have the complete arm length to reach properly, which means she as to strain a little more.  This would be especially true if she were standing up.

Obviously, if you are concerned about the behaviour or suspect that there is something more going on, then a trip to your gp might be a good idea.

Hi

My daughter who is now 9 also displayed this at about the same age and at the time I thought that there was something not right, how can my baby seem sexual so young???  I then happened to be doing kinder duty on day and there was another little girl doing the same thing on the mat as the teacher was reading a story.  I spoke to the teacher afterwards and she explained to me that this was perfectly normal behaviour, maybe not acceptable in public places but certainly at home in thier own bedroom.   She explained that it is a comfort thing a little like sucking your thumb. We asked our daughter why she was doing this and she said that it helped her relax so we explained that if she was to do this then she should do it when it is time to relax at bedtime, in her own room and not in front of the dinner guests!!!!  I think that in our society we jump to too many conclusions to quickly, maybe ask her why she is doing this, anyway I hope this has put your mind at ease a little

Most kids "explore" their genitals when they become aware of them but as far as I know until they reach mid-primary school age they don't really experience "sexual feelings" so she may just like the comforting sensation it gives her.

How exactly does she touch herself?  Is she just putting her hands down her pants?  Or is she simulating masurrbation?  When did she start doing it and was there any change or upset in her life or routine - new daycare, change of day care staff/friends, toilet training problems, losing someone in the family, etc?

Alternatively, the only other thing I can think of is (and PLEASE don't be alarmed) is are you in any doubt as to whether someone has taught her this or she has seen anything inappropriate on television or printed media?

The seating and going red is something I haven't come across before with any of my kids or those I had in my day care.

Like I said, I am not trying to alarm you as there could be any one of a number of reasons for it, but all possible options shouold be objectively examined.