Re: What would u do
“Since it’s happening a lot these days”…just because you hear of some isolated incidents doesn’t mean that this is a common problem. I’ve taught preschool for a year…and then a bit during the summer…and never encountered such a problem.
As far as the older playmate is concerned…keep in mind that while touching another child’s private parts is considered WRONG to most people/parents…the older playmate’s parents may have different views about things. Moreover his/her parents may prefer that they deal with their child on their own as opposed to SOME OTHER parent lecturing their kid. This does not necessarily mean that they would go easy on their kid…but just that his/her parents could prefer handling it themselves.
^^^And in the event that the older playmate’s parents HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA that their child engaged in such behavior…if you were to go charging up to him and start yelling…and then he cries cuz he’s too young to understand that what he did is wrong…and he’s also too young to explain the situation correctly…if his parents find out that some woman was yelling at him…his kiddy explanation of your actions and what happened might cause greater confusion for the parent. Bring it up with the teacher and the other parent…but disciplining another person’s child…might not go down to well. Some parents are highly defensive about their kids. You cannot control or change another person’s child…you can’t control their parents even…but you do have greater control over educating your own child.
As far as what to tell your son…I’ve already mentioned that above. You can discuss with your son that it’s better to keep hands and feet to yourself unless instructed otherwise by the teacher. And that nobody is supposed to see/touch your there …that it’s different with Mommy and Daddy (because they may have to take you to the bathroom or help you with clothes)…etc etc. Keep it simple. Your tone of voice/firmness/even a few repetitions get the message across. When you actually start explaining it to him…you’ll intuitively figure out what and how much needs to be said.
I’ve already mentioned how the issue can be discussed…talking about it more would be like repeating.