Children even at a young age already know how to lie. Even those who are still learning how to speak could already tell a lie but for them, they don't feel any guilt yet because they are still in the stage where they can hardly tell what is true or not.
As posted by Parents page, a child psychiatrist and author of "Raising Kids with Character," Elizabeth Berger said, "Strong emotions can make a 2- or 3-year-old insist." Kids at this age can already tell a lie by answering "No" when asked. Like for example, you ask your 3-year-old boy, "Did you eat the chocolates of your baby sister?" They might answer you a lie because they know that the chocolates are not for him.
These are just small lies that kids can make but as they grow older, they can even get better in lying. What should parents do to stop or prevent their young children from lying? Here are some advice that you can use.
Interject a doubt statement when they tell a lie.
Providing a thought of doubt to your lying kid can make them think that you know the truth and lying is no use. For example, the kid will say "I did not touch the cake." You then answer, "Really? Then why do you have some icing on your hand." This will directly break their lying.
You need to walk the talk.
Basically, kids follow what adults do so children will likely follow their parents. Don't tell lies to your kids. When you say, "I will be back right away," and that "right away" took a whole day of waiting for them, that isn't a good example. That already counts as a lie for them.
Never punish a child when you let them confess the truth.
People would normally think that if a child is punished after confessing his mistakes, he won't do it again. That's not a hundred percent guaranteed. According to a parenting website called RaisingChildren.net.au, children are more likely to keep secrets and tell lies because they fear of being punished.
