Does my 3 1/2 yr old son need to see a therapist?

My son is 3 1/2 and just a few months ago was caught touching and being touched by another little boy, same age. When I asked what happened, he said he peed in his mouth because he liked it. Since then, those boys don't play together anymore. The problem stopped for a while, but yesterday I caught him sticking his finger in his 2 yr old brother bottom. I don't know where he is learning this behavior, no school or other influences but me. He is supposed to start school next month and I am afraid to put him in there, out of fear what he might do. I don't know if this is normal, doesn't seem that way to me, or if he needs to be seen by a therapist. This is so embarrassing to me and I wonder if anyone else has had this problem and what helped stop it. I have explained that no one is to touch his privates, unless getting a bath, but I don't think he gets it. HELP ME!!!! I don't know what to do or what I have done wrong. I spank him and put him in time out, but he doesn't care. Like no concious or something.

[ANS04]

From what I understand it is completely normal for little boys to touch themselves or even each other. It is usually not sexual and instead an explorative thing. It sounds like your son is just exploring bodies...wondering what different things do.

Continue to talk with him about appropriate touching and when he should do it and that he shouldnt touch others.

As for punishing him for the behavior. I would not do that. This could have serious side effects. I would just talk with him and if you really feel uncomfortable with him touching himself...then redirect his attention.

[mamaof167]

, Thank you for your input! The thing I was worried about was he never touches himself, just others and I am afraid to let him interact with other kids. I don't want to cause him serious issues by punishing him, but he doesn't seem to listen when I talk to him. Maybe I'll just stay consistant and he'll hear it someday. Thank you again! So you wouldn't think a therapist needs to be called in?

[specialmom]

Oh ladies, I disagree completely.  Peeing in another boys and putting genitalia in anothers mouth is not normal exploration.  Sticking a finger in another's bottom is beyond normal, in my opinion.  Often times a child will discover sensations that they create in themselves and will do that . . . that is normal.  Or they will touch another's penis and giggle, that is normal . . . but one of these kids has been exposed to something.  Either they've seen it or it has been done to them.  Just a guess, but the penis in the mouth is a dead giveaway.  (therapist here speaking)

I would tell them that NO.  We do not touch another.  NO. NO. No. My younger son tried to grab his brother in the bathtub and he got a big fat NO!!!!  Hands to self.  

So watch this situation . . . but I would be leary.  I wouldn't leave them unsupervised.