Daughter is playing with herself in school

[Thereistoomuchconfusion]

I have been called into school today because my dd since wearing socks and summer dress has started playing with herself at carpet time. The teacher wandered if she had something wrong down below. I have noticed myself she is itchy down there I had a look last night before bath time and she has not been wiping herself properly so putting it down to that. But she has told me before it feels nice to put her hands down there. I realise this is natural. But not sure how to get her to stop whilst at school. The other children have been picking on her for it. My dd is 5. I have explained before that she needs to sit nicely and not touch down there in front of others but she doesn't seem to take any notice. Any advice?

[frazmum]

Sounds perhaps like what started as when she scratched the itch she realised it felt nice. Does she do it at home? You've already explained what she should be doing but it's obviously going in one ear and out the other.

At her age, I'd try a reward chart - bribery. I realise it is harder to monitor what she's doing at school (perhaps a quick word with teacher after school). Might get her focussed on what she's doing as sounds like it may have become an unconscious habit.

[Damash12]

Aaahhh bless her, I have boys so no experience but I have a friend who's daughter does this and she said the same thing. 'That it feels nice' .
Tough one as obviously she is doing it for comfort so I think you can only have a chat. However, I am really surprised the school called you up on this as I am sure it's very common and I doubt the first time a teacher has had to deal with this situation.

[valiumredhead]

I would tell her that at the moment it's best to leave herself alone as she will make herself sore but when she is better that's the sort of thing done in private and not at school or in front of other people.I think the teacher did the right thing bringing it to your attention :)

[spudmasher]

Its not unheard of.
Can you put some cycling shorts on her?

[KevinFoley]

She might have threadworms hence the itching around the vulva. Worth getting her treated. In the meantime she is old enough to explain about private parts and not touching or showing them at school, etc.

[chickensaladagain]

Can the teacher give her something to keep her hands occupied during carpet time, something like a blob of bluetac?

One of the teachers at my dcs school suggested it as they have eczema and it distracts them from scratching

[WhatKatyDidToday]

Oh don't worry, lots of children do it. Just explain that you don't touch your 'bits' in front of others. Ask teacher if she can have stress ball/teddy/inanimate object to fiddle with and just double check she doesn't have a UTI. It'll just be a phase

[valiumredhead]

As long as she doesn't poke the blob of blu tack anywhere it shouldn't go chicken or you'll have a whole other problem on your hands

Good point about thread worms.