My DS8 likes girls-- and I think it has to do with their different appearance as much as the imaginative, organized way many of his girl "friends" prefer to play. The often long hair, complicated clothing, social relationships etc. is fascinating to him. He's not like I was-- anxious, embarrassed, or repelled by boy/girl stuff. I get embarrassed just by his questions. When he's older, I am bracing myself for some major crushes, and given his inquisitive nature, I'm sure he will be consulting me on every detail.
I wonder if your DD is starting to veer into crush territory (totally normal and not early for a girl), but may also be intrigued by differences. That strikes me as "smart" thing-- being curious and trying to "get" how the other gender thinks and responds to the world.
