Most children at that age show some sort of curiosity but it would also depend on what kind of "touching" the 8yr old is doing and whether she has been taught what is acceptable and not acceptable touching.

If you are concerned that there may be underlying abuse occurring with this girl then you could keep an eye on it and look for reoccurring patterns in her behaviour/actions and also how the other siblings are responding to her when this happens.

Another indicator is how she responds to males when they come near her....if she shys away or looks distressed.

ok, I'm meaning as in full-fledged touching...like "come on I want to show you something!This is how you do it when you get older." that type of touching. She seems shy around everyone thats the problem. I just can't tell...The younger sister(she's the one thats been talking to me about it) who's 4, seems a little distant.

You mean like "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" or does she mimic the kind of sexual toughing that an adult does during lovemaking?

From what I've read and what the Police have told me a female child who is being abused by a male adult often slightly flinches when the male goes near them. They also tend to be slightly withdrawn, don't engage in group activities as much as other kids and interestingly enough.....the types of art drawings they do and the way they play with their dolls can often indicate a few things too.

by the sounds of what I'm hearing its more of acting it out. I also forgot to add that they are both homeschooled.

Ahhh.

My personal opinion on homeschooling is that it doesn't allow the child to socially interact with others of their peer group as well as those who attend a school through the system (be it either public or private schooling).

It's quite possible that they are acting out and mimicking what they have seen in books and movies and possibly other adult interaction they may have seen out in the street/malls etc but if you are truly concerned and you feel that there is something not quite right about it then go with your gut instinct and observe and monitor the situation.

It may turn out to be a harmless phase that they are going through, but then again it may not and you may be right in thinking that there is something untoward going on.

You could always grab some pamphlets on child abuse from the local police station, they usually have pamphlets of some sort, or you can google the web for more info so that you yourself can be more aware of the signs etc.

Either way, go with your gut instinct.

I think if you are worried then you are justified to be worried. Tell her parents again that you are not blaming them or accusing them of anything but you are worried where she has learnt this behavious. You could also try asking the little girl the next time she does it gently say 'well where did you learn to touch people like that?' we often think children are a different species or something but you can actually have a conversation with them too!

I think you probally have something to worry about.Try talking to her and finding out where she learned to do what she is doing.If she lets you believe that it was from someone abusing her then you need to get it to stop.Her parents may be the abusing her or are in denial about anyone doing this to their daughter so they don't want to talk about it.This is normal when parents feel they have failed as a parent because their child was abused.Talk to the little girl and see how it goes and if you think something is wrong talk to the parents and if they don't do anything turn it in with what you have been told.You need to protect her if she is being abused.