Welcome back to Six Minute Sex Ed, the podcast that helps families talk about sex and relationships, hosted by Sex Education teacher, Kim Cavill: https://www.teaandintimacy.com/

This episode is Level One, which makes it good for listeners of any age, and we’re going to talk about Playing Doctor.

Playing doctor is very common behavior for young children. As young children, we feel very curious about our bodies and how they are similar to and different from other people’ bodies. Playing doctor is a typical way we explore those differences and answer basic questions like, “I wonder if my penis looks the same as other penises,” or “I wonder if my vulva is the same color as a penis?”

Other things that are common when young children play doctor:

The kids know each other well

It’s friendly and playful, not coercive or bullying

Objects aren’t being inserted anywhere

If someone is bullying someone else into playing doctor, or objects are being inserted, then those are indications to seek additional supports. Here are some helpful articles and links:

When Your Child Plays Doctor: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-raise-happy-cooperative-child/201610/when-your-child-plays-doctor

What to do when your young one’s playing doctor: https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/pega-ren/kids-and-sexuality_b_1669787.html

Playing Doctor is a normal, natural, and important part of childhood: https://birdsandbeesandkids.com/playing-doctor-is-a-normal-natural-and-important-part-of-childhood%E2%80%A8/

What to do when you catch your child playing doctor: https://sexedrescue.com/playing-doctor/

Here are some general guidelines:

Stay calm.

Remember that playing doctor is common

Show acceptance

Set healthy boundaries

Find more resources together.

Sex Positive Families’s book list: http://sexpositivefamilies.com/sex-positive-families-reading-list/

Conversation starter: What sorts of things do you wonder about other people’s bodies?

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