My 2 Yr Old, Touching Dirty Surfaces and Then Herself

I'm a childcare provider. I pretty much ditto Susan's advice. My middle child (now 13) was the "tactile" one: Every surface we passed had to be explored. Eew. She also had more than one bacterial rash on her face; so it CAN happen. I also want to add for your reassurance: The point of "abnormal" in talking about a toddler's exploration of their genitalia is waaaaay past what you describe. Some do more than others, so there's a vast range of "normal." It can be a comfort behavior, like some of us discussed on another thread (son sleeping with hand in diaper...help!). If that's an issue, there are some good suggestions over there.

Take care!
J. Smithson
Loving Hands Learn 'n' Play
http://www.lhlearnandplay.com

Well at this age... they don't have total impulse control yet. It's hard to control what a 2 year old touches.. they are so quick and fast. Sounds like your'e doing the best you can... but it's all about REPETITION and "reminding" them about what is clean and not clean to touch... basic hygiene. They touch things also out of curiosity and they are so tactile as kids..... short of keeping her in a spotless environment, i don't know what one can do. Get her into the "habit" of washing her hands after activities and certain routines.. but not so she gets phobic about it. Carry anti-bacterial wipes with you perhaps, too. At this age, they can and do start to learn about what is yucky-dirty to touch and what isn't. Or, sometimes they just 'pretend' to ignore our advice and do it anyway. Learning about what is clean or dirty will take time... each child has there own curve on learning it...but awareness and boundaries can be taught everyday still. Also if it helps to know, it takes 2 years for a child's immune system to fully develop. So, your child is right around that age. YOu could also perhaps get a fun kids video on cleanliness etc. and show it to her. Kids do learn from these educational videos. Some say to teach the child to 'touch' themselves in only their own room etc... and to teach them what "private" is and means. This is what we've done. Also, if your child attends school, washing hands etc. should be taught there as a matter of routine. If you are really concerned, maybe ask your Pediatrician about it. Good luck, i'm sure you will get good suggestions here.
~susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo

It is my opinion that you need to work towards curbing the behavior of self exploration, as I do not feel it is something a child should be doing so frequently that you are concerned about "constantly" washing her hands. It should be a behavior that is limited to a point where you aren't having to be constantly washing her hands, but also done in private and not a typcial part of the day where she is doing this behavior, going to do other things, and then doing it again where she is touching stuff...and I would also be concerned about the things she is touching because it isn't sanitary the other way around either. I have been a teacher for 2 year olds for 8 years and have worked with hundreds of children, I have dealt with self-exploration by explaining that needs to be done in private, but from my experience, it is NOT that common where I would tell myself it is normal to be doing it constantly. Children simply aren't doing it THAT often because throughout the course of the day, children should be involved and concerned with other play activities in the environment to keep their hands, bodies, and minds active. And as far as infection is concerned....the most unsanitary, bacteria infested materials are excreted from that area...I seriously doubt there is anything worse around the house that would cause infections other than her own urine and feces....I would be more worried about what your 6 week old can catch from HER dirty hands.

I think you should ask yourself WHY she is touching herself so frequently. My little 18 month old explores herself now and then, usually at diaper changes or in the bathtub. But I've never seen her stick her hand into her diaper. Perhaps your little has a urinary tract issue, or yeast infection, maybe she's itchy down there. I'd take her in for a check up. Other than that it's totally normal for them to explore and touch themselves when they are naked.
K.
Kellyis.stayinhomeandlovinit.com
myspace.com/luvinstayinhome