WHY CHILDREN LIE & HOW TO HANDLE IT

When children play, they use their imagination to create scenarios. Telling lies is not a far cry from this and is a normal part of development in childhood. But how can parents handle the issue?

Children might typically start telling lies from around three - the age by which they are experienced at play and are able to talk. But why do children lie?

Very young children do not have the same sense of morals as adults, so there are various reasons they tell lies, which include:

• Avoiding getting into trouble
• Testing your reaction
• Making a story more exciting
• Trying to fit in with their friends
• Making themselves look good to get praise
• Simply playing 'pretend'
• Looking for your attention
• Trying to get et something they want .

Children tend to tell more lies by the age of 4-6 years. They might get better at telling lies by matching their facial expressions and the tone of their voices to what they're saying. If you ask children to explain what they're saying, they'll usually own up.

As children grow older, they can lie more successfully without getting caught. The lies also get more complicated, because children have more words and are better at understanding how other people think. A typical scenario might include a child hearing about wonderful gifts friends received on their birthday and then pretending to others they have a similar gift at home. This is because they may want to avoid feeling lesser than their friends and are trying to fit in.

TEACHING KIDS TO TELL THE TRUTH