Masturbation is the self stimulation of the genitals for pleasure or self comfort. During masturbation, a child often appears dazed, flushed, and preoccupied. The frequency of this behavior may range from once per week to several times per day. It occurs more commonly when a child is sleepy, bored, watching T.V., or under stress.
Occasional masturbation is a normal behavior of many infants and preschoolers.
Up to one-third of children in this age group discovers masturbation while exploring their bodies. Just as they explore their toes and knees, children find all their parts of their bodies eventually. They find it feels good to touch themselves in this way and continue to do so. Most children do this as a comfort measure much like a pacifier is for infants. This causes pain or itching, so the child may scratch the area and this should be distinguished from masturbation.