9 year old boy playing with genitalia

[devon004]

My ds is in year 5. His school rang me today to say he has been playing with his genitalia in class. Not sure how to handle so any advice appreciated. Thank you

Well, at least that's one thing they can't do say he's picked up from his mother!

I'd leave school to deal with things that happen only in school.

Depends what they mean by 'playing'? Does he do this at home?
Could he have something irritating him there - rash, soreness, worms?
Allergy to laundry chemicals? Underpants riding up, down, too big or too small?
Once you rule out that he's actually 'playing with his genitalia' because of no other reason than he's bored in class (why?) and he enjoys this, then he needs to have it explained to him that certain parts of our bodies are private and that activity needs to a private one, not in front of others.
Best of luck with that!

I would speak to him about it. He needs to know that this isn't socially acceptable behaviour. He's 9 so is old enough to understand this (assuming he has no special needs but you don't mention any. Even if he does there will still be ways to explain this to him using social stories etc). He will know that you know and if you don't say anything it will look like you condone it. Discuss about anything under your pants is private like the NSPCC campaign (Google if you haven't seen this). It may be puberty related but he needs to understand that he can't do this in public. The school will deal with it but don't leave it solely to them. Make sure he understands that you're not telling him off but that you need him to know how to behave

He doesn't do it at home. Well not in front of anyone. I have gently asked if he is sore and have tried to get him to talk about it. He does have some toileting issues and is quite anxious about things at the moment. But no actual diagnosed sen and he is fine according yo dwp.

That makes it a bit more complicated Devon.
Toileting issues - may be physical discomfort.
Anxiety could be he's getting psychological comfort.
Maybe not really realised what he was doing until someone else noticed.
Perhaps you should to discuss with the teacher what was he actually doing, whether this is something that he just started doing or has it been happening for a while? Just to get a better idea whether this is just something he needs a gentle reminder not to do in public, or whether there is a physical or anxiety related issue that needs looking into.

Confident it is nothing physical. Things as stressed at the moment with a potential school change and poorly grandparent. Think maybe this is one for dh but tbh not sure I can trust him to not go ott.