3 year old pinching her vagina says she’s playing

So she came home from nursery putting toys in her tonight’s against her knickers and saying ‘mummy look look’ to get my attention on what she was doing. I told her to take them out or they would get stinky, she refused so I took them out myself. I then went back to want I was doing and realised shortly after like a couple of minutes she was pinching her vagina over her tights at this point. I ask her ‘what are you doing?’ She says ‘I’m playing, go away you’re annoying’. I’ve also noted her pour water on this area in the bath. Today is the first time I’m seen her pinch her vagina on her skin rather than over knickers or tights. This has been happening on and off for 2 weeks now. Has anyone else experienced similar stuff? Should I be concerned?

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I think I would be direct and speak to your nursery about it. If you don’t feel comfortable at first I would ask your HV for advice to see if it’s abnormal. I don’t have a girl but to me I think it’s a red flag.

Hey @Lesley , I spoke to the family worker at the nursery the day after this happened. They told me it’s normal and she’s exploring her body. I googled it too in the end and it does say it’s normal but I’m not sure how often is normal or what type of touching is normal. As she was pinching that area.

I would maybe ask your HV for a second opinion. If they think it’s normal then I wouldn’t worry.

My daughter has been on and off interested in her vagina for a while. She’s forever stuffing toys down her tights and pants. She also likes to pour water over it in the bath. I’ve seen her doing similar sort of pinching. I do think it’s her just exploring but I’m quite firm that she’s not to do it out of the house because you never know who’s paying attention. I grew up in a very conservative family and my parents were very, very awkward about bodies and it made me quite awkward about my own body and I don’t want to continue that with my kids so we’re quite laid back about it at home, obviously as long as it’s age appropriate exploration x

Very normal for them to start to explore their bodies at this age.. although quite embarrassing for us.. I've done lots of reading into it.. and it's better be direct and anatomically correct. 'I see you're pinching your vulva/vagina. It's ok to be interested in your body but it is private. If you want to continue you must do it in your room by yourself' they will grow out of it.. at some point.

I have a son, not a daughter, but he's been "exploring" his penis for a while now. I think it's normal for this age to start showing curiosity, don't make a big thing out of it as it feeds the behaviour. Just tell them that it's something they should do in private, not round other people and to wash their hands after!!