How can I stop DD doing this without making her feel bad about herself?

[hermum]

DD1 4.6 yo, keeps putting her hand in her pants when she's sitting at table eating or drawing. I've told her she mustn't do it, especially not when eating,but I dont want her to think she can't touch herself there at all or that it's 'dirty'.

How can I discourage her without giving her a hang-up?

We take the line that that part of the body is private. And fiddling there is something to be done in private. (Presumably you're happy with her having a good old rummage when she's alone in her room, right?)

(I should probably point out that I'm not sure my approach entirely works. Well, DS1 (6) only publically fiddles in the bath. But he seems to be teaching DS2 (3) to pull back his foreskin.)

i tell dd that is her private bits and she can touch but only in her own bedroom, its not for public view. that way its not dirty but she knows its not a polite thing to do in company!

thanks, i'm worried she does at it nursery, don't really feel like asking the teacher what to do about it!
Will tell her she can only do it in her room and stress again that it's private.
I don't really want to stigmatise something that at her age is innocent and that she seems to do without even reasling she's doing it, but i suppose she has to learn what is appropriate and what isnt...

think thats the best course of action! good luck. dont worry abotu nursery, shes probably far too busy playing to think about it!