Child's behavior pattern question

[Mamochka100]

What's the best way to teach a 5 year old to stop touching her "privates."  She doesn't do it for the sensation, and we have been to the DR 2x and it's not enflamed or physical.  It's just a habit that she now depends on for comfort.  But the school teacher has notced and this is goung to become a significant issue if we don't do something now. Thanks.

[margypops]

no 'slapping'  we do not hit children .distraction will work and also an explanation .of why she should'nt do it in front of others...

[sue_perfluous]

If she does it in public, slap her!  
But I don't think you should suggest, not even subtly, that it should never be done even in private, as some people seem to be suggesting!

[Mamochka100]

Sounds like a really good idea and some sound advice.  We'll try an alternate touching spot.  This weekend we got her promise to try and break the habit. Thank you for taking time to answer.    

[margypops]

A family trait we had as a comfort was curling our hair round out finger another one was pulling on our nose ...lol  even my granma curled her hair ..

[AnnieBrooke]

Tell her it's OK to do it but only in private.  This usually means, in her room.  (I would try to head off any question she might ask about whether that means it is OK to do it in the school bathroom.)  

If you're certain it's not masturbatory but just a comfort behavior, she won't be thinking she needs to run to the bathroom to do it anyway, she will just need an alternate self-comforting behavior she can do for herself in public.  (Stroking her hair or rubbing her arm or hand, for example.)   What is going on in school?  Does it make her particularly anxious?  If you're sure it's not done for reasons of masturbation, maybe you can  help her figure out some other kind of self-comforting move and she can use that.