When twins become curious about each other's bodies

Joan Friedman, PhD Psychologist & Twin Expert, shares advice for parents of twins on how to teach them socially appropriate behavior when twins want to explore each others's bodies
Raising Twins | When Twins Are Curious About Each Other's Bodies
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When twins become curious about each other's bodies

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Most children have a natural curiosity about their bodies and they experiment in a variety of ways. Young children are easily stimulated and twins have access to a sibling who is around most of the time. It’s natural that children want to explore each other’s bodies just as they may want to explore their own. The goal for parents is to teach socially appropriate behavior. The key is to be firm about limits and not punitive about the behavior. I always advocate that if you have room now or in the future, try to give your twins separate bedrooms. It really gives them a sense of privacy and boundaries. It also gives them the opportunities to have separate play dates and separate sleepovers. Also, allowing them to be engaged in decorating their rooms gives them a chance to show their individuality, their taste, their preferences and their talents, which really helps to deal with their individuation.

Joan Friedman, PhD Psychologist & Twin Expert, shares advice for parents of twins on how to teach them socially appropriate behavior when twins want to explore each others's bodies

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Joan Friedman, PhD

Psychologist & Twin Expert

Dr. Joan A. Friedman is a prominent and well-respected twin expert who shares her passionate views and insights about twins and their emotional needs with twins and their families throughout the world. The fact that she is an identical twin and the mother of five, including fraternal twin sons, makes her ideally suited to this task. Her commitment to twin research and her treatment of twins of all ages demonstrate the breadth and depth of her skills and experience. She conducts ongoing groups for parents of twins and provides consultation on twin related matters such as school placements, developmental discrepancies, and behavioral issues.

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Transcription: 
Most children have a natural curiosity about their bodies and they experiment in a variety of ways. Young children are easily stimulated and twins have access to a sibling who is around most of the time. It’s natural that children want to explore each other’s bodies just as they may want to explore their own. The goal for parents is to teach socially appropriate behavior. The key is to be firm about limits and not punitive about the behavior. I always advocate that if you have room now or in the future, try to give your twins separate bedrooms. It really gives them a sense of privacy and boundaries. It also gives them the opportunities to have separate play dates and separate sleepovers. Also, allowing them to be engaged in decorating their rooms gives them a chance to show their individuality, their taste, their preferences and their talents, which really helps to deal with their individuation.