4.5 year old boys playing with each others genitals

[lallyp]

Is this normal?
My ds has two close friends that he is close to and plays with regularly. The father of one of them told me today that the two friends were found playing with each others genitals. One boy in particular is almost definitely the instigator.
My ds has just turned 4 and is 6 months younger than both his friends.

• Is this normal?
  
• Has anyone else experienced this?
  
• Should i be concerned?
  

I guess i just want clarification that this is normal experimentation as my son is 6 months behind them and i do not want him exposed to sexual behavior before he is ready or naturally inquisitive...

anyone?

[piprabbit]

I think it is normal inquisitiveness. However it might be a good time to talk to your DS about privacy, boundaries. It's OK for him to touch his own, but not to touch other people's or let them touch his.

[lallyp]

thats exactly what i need to do.
thankyou for replying - a bit of clarity has returned! I actually got a bit freaked out. If it was a boy and girl together i wouldn't have raised an eyebrow.
thanks again

[colditz]

Normal but don't let them - tell them that nobody else should touch their private places and they shouldn't touch anyone else's private places, but they may touch their own, in private.

[Graciescotland]

My nephew did this with his friends in school. I think teacher had a chat about private places and there was a song :) I can't really remember it but it finished with "my body's nobodies body but mine you've got your own body so let me have mine"

[lallyp]

brilliant song! thanks so much for the feedback.