My 8 yr old sister masturbates in class room

I just recentley found out that my 8 yr old sister masturbates in the class room while teacher is teaching!!! She lives with my mother and my 9 yr old brother.Her father has never been in her life and she has been doing this off and on since kindergarden.My mom told me the other day and i fell on the floor!! How can someone so young know about this,and why would she do this with know remorse or even imbarrestment???? My mother wants me to talk to her because she seems to latch on to me whenever i see her.We live about 40 miles away so i dont see her often.My mother has tried to talk with her but she say's nothing? The teacher and guidence counclers r working with her in some kind of program but she just wont talk.The sadest thing is that this distracts her so much in school, that she is very far behind in school work. Im really worried but dont know who to talk  to because this is such a touchy and imbarising subject.My mom cry's everyday she hasnt told anyone but me and does not know what to do.I'ts really weird because she is a very shy girl in public and for her not to care that she is touching herslef in front of all those kid's and teacher's is histerical!!!Mom say's the counslor's think it's a secruity issue,because she hates to be away from my mom.But im worried it's more than that. has she been molested,? did someone show her this for her to know what she's doing??? I have so many quistion's i dont know where to begin! Any kind of help u would have would be very much appreciated. thank you, Stacey

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It'll be important for you, her mother and others who are trying to be helpful to do so in a calm, understanding way and not be alarmed and emotional. At a young age children learn that it can be pleasant to touch their genital area. This is a normal part of development; it is not necessarily any indication that she has been sexually mistreated. Firm but kind limits need to be set on the behavior - i.e., she needs to be told to stop it. Such behavior should be confined to private spaces and should not occur in public. Beyond this, if it's thought that she may be insecure in some fashion, some therapy would be useful. Ask the folks at school for a recommendation, since they likely know who is available in the local area.

[Prozac]

Humm...well, a good thing would be to get professional attention. Could be a lot of things and if it's compulsive it's a bigger problem.

[catch22]

This happened to me when I was about 7 years old.  I experienced
a very pleasurable sensation rubbing up against something.  the urge to do this became uncontrollable.  It was quite embarrassing

[catch22]

continuing
but the urge to do this was overpowering.  I believe the thing to do in your sister's case is to speak to her calmly about this.  Do believe that she is embarrassed about this but it is not something that she understands.  All she knows is that she gets this powerful urge to experience the sensation.  This urge is controlling her right now.  She needs to learn how to cope with this urge.  She should not be put under a microscope from school nurse, counselor, teacher.  She needs to be told what that sensation is. (orgasm) and how to deal with it.  Of course if you suspect any foul play than you need to go another avenue.
Which I myself was asked about and was not the case.  PS.. She will not masturbate in public forever.  She is very normal!

[Foster Dad]

As a Foster Parent we are trained in various child behaviors
such as masturbation.

We are taught that masturbation can be one of many signs of
sexual abuse however not every child that masturbates has been
abused.

It is a normal part of child developement to explore their
bodies and upon finding something so pleasurable they are
sure to repeat this behavior.

It is important to try and not make too big a deal out of this
with your sister. You should not make her feel guilty for the
act of masturbating as this could lead to unhealthy beliefs
about sex in later years.

You should however try and stress to her that there are certain
things we do in private and not in front of everyone else, such
as going to the restroom, changing our clothes and masturbating.

I would also talk to the teachers and counselors involved and
ask that they simply reinforce this by tactfully asking your sister to stop and tell her that she needs to do this in
private.

[happygrl6]

A related discussion, 8 yr old daughter fondling self was started.

[bigbrother2]

A related discussion, dont count something out was started.