Reflecting on Sexual Development & Behavior: Infant Toddler Case Study

Read the case study about Logan, then complete the activities on the following pages. Reflect on your responses with a coach, trainer, or administrator.

Logan is a 16-month-old in a toddler classroom who is thought of as a healthy and typically developing child with a supportive family. Program staff have noticed that during diaper changes, Logan often attempts to touch his penis in a way that appears to be self-stimulating. Logan will become upset and cry when staff quickly finish cleaning him up, preventing him from continuing. This only lasts a few minutes, and Logan quickly moves on to playing.

一天早上丹尼尔,洛根的母亲要求change Logan’s diaper before leaving, explaining that Logan had a bowel movement on the way to the center. The staff observed Danielle respond to Logan’s touching by saying, “That’s nasty. Don’t touch your wee-wee!” as she quickly swatted Logan’s hands away from his genitals.

Think about Logan’s sexual development-physical changes, knowledge and beliefs, and behaviors and record the information in the table.

Physical Changes
  • Healthy and growing child
  • 16-month-old-body and abilities
  • Able to explore own body parts
Knowledge & Beliefs
  • Logan hears the word “wee-wee” for penis at home
  • Logan knows what it feels like when touching penis
  • Family may not be aware of typical sexual behavior for Logan’s age and development
Behaviors
  • Self-stimulates by touching penis during diaper changes
  • Sometimes cries for a few minutes when no longer able to engage in behavior but then begins to play

Record your thoughts on the following factors to reflect on Logan’s sexual behavior.

Culture & Family Norms
  • Danielle thinks it is “nasty” when Logan self-stimulates and uses the term “wee-wee”
  • Staff view family as supportive
Development
  • Appears to be a typical 16-month-old, naturally curious
  • Not yet developed a sense of privacy or modesty
Function of the Behavior
  • Logan reacts to his environment and is not able to plan actions
  • Touches penis as a reaction to having the diaper off
Frequency & Participation
  • A few times a day, when diaper is changed
  • Otherwise plays typically
Environment
  • During diapering routine
Effect on Others
  • No other children involved
Redirection
  • Responds to redirection as expected for a child this age
  • Moves on after a few moments