How do I get my five year old to stop playing with his genitals?

Question

Does anyone else have the same problem with their child? Why do they do it?

Answer 1

Direct his energies elsewhere. Tell him don't play with his wee wee, thats private and give him something else to do. DON'T make him feel dirty, just let him know its inappropriate, like playing see-food at the dinner table.

He does it 'cause it feels good.

Answer 2

It is a form of self discovery...believe it or not YOU Probably did it too. Just tell him to do it in private (like in his room with the door shut or the bathroom) and to not tell everyone he does it, some kids like to "announce" it to the world LOL. It's perfectly normal and for awhile he will be amazed at the fact that HE can make himself feel so good. Don't YOU feel good when YOU play with YOUR genitals? (And don't say you don't...obviously SOMEONE played with them or you wouldn't have a son)

Answer 3

its normal that children will explore things while they are young so why would his genitals be any different just ignore it and after awhile it will go away just like everything else that they become interested with children have a short attention spam so he will grow out of this and start exploring other things before long but when you are out have him wear jeans so that its not embarrassing to you and less noticeable by others in public

Answer 4

I would say its normal at this age. My twins are 4 and I have noticed them doing this sometimes. If its something he is doing ALL the time and in public, just try talking to him in a way he will understand. If you scold him or spank him it will just make him feel guilty and could cause other issues. If it was a once in a while kinda thing, and as long as its not in public, just ignore it.

Answer 5

It's perfectly natural for very young kids to find, explore and even play with their parts...... having gone through this with my kids.. the best response I found was to tell them it is ok to play with their parts just not in front of people. I told them they can play with it in the bath or in their room... Those are their parts and no one else should see them do that.

If you tell them it's bad or they can't they may grow up thinking negatively about their sexuality

Answer 6

I agree my son is almost 5 and does it try telling him gently not to but the really are just learning about there body and how different girls/boys are he also asked me whjy boys sand up to wee and girls sit down he will eventually stop

Answer 7

This is common for children that age, they are not so much doing it as a sexual thing....it's more of like a body discovery thing. Just have a talk with him about "down there" and when it's appropriate to touch it

Answer 8

My daughter is four, and she does it. It's great when a child isn't ashamed of their body. Do you want your son to grow up feeling bad about having a penis? This is NORMAL. He's exploring. You wouldn't spank him for sticking his finger up his nose, would you?

Answer 9

its completely normal. and isnt sexual at all - its just that it feels nice, and why wouldnt u do something that feels nice??
when my son does it, i hold his hand and tell him that its fine to do that, but its one of those things that we do in private - like doing a wee. he doesnt go anywhere private, he just goes and does something else. i dont consider it a problem - its just one of those things that kids need to be taught about.

Answer 10

You tell him that sort of play is for his own privacy only. It should take place in his room. Don't discourage him, it is normal. You don't want to make him ashamed of his areas.