I know this 6year that plays with her self. No matter how many times we tell her not to. How do you talk to her about it?

Have you checked her for an infection? She could have an irritation/itch that causes her to touch herself.

I don't think it is unusual for young children to start exploring their bodies; everything is new to them including this. You have to be careful how you approach this topic because it could possibly taint her perception way down the road.

I am including a website on this topic and I think it holds some useful information, advice and pointers on how to deal with this situation.

www.raisingkids.co.uk

When you reach the website and do a search put in 'children exploring their bodies'. Should get you to the correct informatin.

Ms tickle

Will masturbation cause problems later in life?

Masturbation does not cause any physical injury or harm to the body. It is not abnormal or excessive unless it is deliberately done in public places after age 5 or 6. It does not mean your child will be oversexed, promiscuous, or sexually deviant. Only if adults overreact to a child's masturbation and make it seem dirty or wicked will it cause emotional harm, such as guilt and sexual hangups.
How can you help your child?

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Have realistic goals.

It is impossible to eliminate masturbation. Accept the fact that your child has learned about it and enjoys it. The only thing you can control is where it is done. A reasonable goal is to permit it in the bedroom and bathroom only. You might say to your child, "It's okay to do that in your bedroom when you're tired." If you completely ignore the masturbation, no matter where it's done, your child will think it can be done freely in any setting.
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Ignore masturbation at naptime and bedtime.

Leave your child alone at these times and do not keep checking on him. Do not forbid your child from lying on the abdomen and do not ask if his hands are between the legs.
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Distract or discipline your child for masturbation at other times.

First try to distract your child with a toy or activity. If this fails, explain to your child: "I know that feels good, and it's okay to do it in your room or the bathroom, but do not do it in the rest of the house or when other people are around." By the time children are 4 or 5 years old, they become sensitive to other people's feelings and understand that they should masturbate only when they are alone. Younger children may have to be sent to their rooms to masturbate.
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Discuss this approach with your child's day care or preschool staff.

Ask your child's caregiver or teacher to respond to your child's masturbation by first trying to distract the child. If this doesn't work, they should catch the child's attention with comments such as, "We need to have you join us now." Masturbation should be tolerated at school only at naptime.
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Increase physical contact with your child.

Some children will masturbate less if they receive extra hugging and cuddling throughout the day. Try to be sure that your child receives at least 1 hour every day of special time together and physical affection from you.
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Common mistakes.

The most common mistake that parents make is to try to eliminate masturbation completely. This leads to a power struggle which the parents inevitably lose. Children should not be physically punished for masturbation, nor yelled at or lectured about it. Do not label masturbation as bad, dirty, evil, or sinful, and do not tie your child's hands or use any kind of restraints. All of these approaches lead only to resistance and possibly later to sexual inhibitions.

When should you call your child's health care provider?
Call during office hours if:

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Your child continues to masturbate when other people are around
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You suspect that your child has been taught to masturbate by someone
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You child tries to masturbate others
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You feel your child is unhappy
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You cannot accept any masturbation by your child
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This approach does not bring improvement within 1 month
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You have other questions or concerns


AboutKidsHealth: Health A-Z: Masturbation in Preschoolers (http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/HealthAZ/Masturbation-in-Preschoolers.aspx?articleID=8379&categoryID=AZ3d)