Am I right to be concerned about recent behaviour

Last week I witnessed my daughter with her knickers around her ankles, with 2 of her female cousins poking and prodding her in the genital's. 1 cousin is 4 years and the other 2, my daughter is also 4 years old. i don't think this was a case of "show me yours and i'll show you mine" as its the second time that this has happened and the others were fully clothed. The girls were left to play together as i thought that the 1st time it happened was a once off. I spoke to her mother who said that she'll "have a word with her daughter", but I feel quite sickened about the whole issue. In the 1st occassion, my daughter was sore, i think she must of been scratched as it hurt her when she had a wee, this time no injuries. What s the best plan of attack, they are cousins and will be starting school together this sept, I feel sick with worry, what else could they get up to behind closed doors when I'm not in control?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

You and the cousin's parents should sepak with them and learn how these episodes happen to occur. Set very firm, clear limits on such behavior. It goes without saying that children so young require 'eyeball' supervision.

[rabbit7181]

They normally are supervised, but I let them have some independence and allowed them to play upstairs. Should i be worried about the above, since its happened twice to my knowledge. I know for a fact that my daughter knows that she doesn't show others her private parts.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It's best not to permit children so young to be playing unsupervised. They do not yet have the judgment or impulse control that would lead to good choices. You may think she knows what to do, but that is no indication that she will be able to act accordingly. Remember: she's only four years old.