My 5-year-old daughter masturbates a lot. I thought that the episodes only happen at home, unfortunately, after talking to the teacher in the kindergarten, it turned out that also in the kindergarten. At home, I distract her from such behavior, just like the kindergarten teacher, because my daughter can do it at the table when they read books, while playing and resting. I am terrified of this behavior and do not know what to do. I told my daughter when I caught her masturbating that if she had to do it, let her do it so that no one could see … To no avail. She is being raised by herself, the time I have after work I devote only to her, she always does housework at night, when my daughter is asleep. What to do? go to a psychiatrist or wait or he will grow up?
The most likely version of events is that he will probably grow out of it. Four, five and six year olds masturbate quite often. This scares parents concerned that there is "something wrong" with their child, or worse with themselves, because maybe they are doing something wrong. For children, it is a form of giving each other pleasure, relieving stress, and a way to get rid of boredom. Or to enhance sensations. They get to know their own body and how it reacts, and they don't realize that they are doing anything wrong. Until we tell them this and make it a problem. In my opinion, distraction and occupying her with something else should be the only behavior for some time, and you can from time to time draw her attention to the intimacy aspect of certain activities. No anger, fear in the eyes or expressing disapproval. Perhaps it would also be worth showing her other pleasures related to the body - nice baths, full body massage, dancing, brushing her hair, scratching the head and others that you can think of. Give her the opportunity to experience other pleasant moments also related to the body, and then she may be more likely to give up the activity that worries you so much. If the situation does not change at all for the next few months, it might be worth visiting a good child psychologist.
Remember that our expert's answer is informative and will not replace a visit to the doctor.
Tatiana Ostaszewska-MosakHe is a clinical he alth psychologist.
Graduated from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Warsaw.
She has always been particularly interested in herissues of stress and its impact on human functioning.
She uses her knowledge and experience at psycholog.com.pl and at the Fertimedica Fertility Center.
She completed a course in integrative medicine with the world-famous professor Emma Gonikman.
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