Advice re: toddler touching their bits

[user1472925240]

This is my first post on MN because frankly I can't google the answer to this or really speak to anyone about it.

So, our daughter is 3 and is quite a chatty, headstrong and "lively" child. Lately she has been "messing" with her girl bits - fully clothed, all innocent. It started just messing when she was strapped in the buggy, and has now progressed to using dolls/water bottles/whatever.

I don't want to destroy her childhood by telling her it is naughty or dirty, so I just tell her to stop being silly but she just says "I'm going to do this every day because it's fun." She screams when we take the doll off her.

She starts pre-school next week.

What do I say to stop her? Do I need to stop her? How do I tell her it's inappropriate in public?

It is very common. Tell her it is something to do in her bedroom by herself.

Tell her to do it in her room if she wants to do it. Keep it lighthearted.

They all do it. Boys and girls. Just teach them it's a private thing.

'yes it IS nice isn't it? most people like doing that. But we do it in private, not in front of other people.'