Understanding dishonesty in children – when, how and why do kids lie? | Parenting News,The Indian Express
Parenting styles play a role in the development of white lies
The researchers, from Poland and Canada, tested children’s self-control at the age of 18 months by asking them not to peek at a toy. The same 252 children were tested again at age two and then again six months later. Only 35 per cent of the young participants disobeyed the request not to look, but 27 per cent of the peekers falsely claimed they had done as they were told.
From an early age, children are taught lying is a moral failing. Yet, in some social contexts, children might also be encouraged to lie. Many parents explicitly tell their children not to distort the truth, emphasising the importance of being honest. However, they also give nuanced messages about honesty. For example, they might claim it is sometimes acceptable to tell white lies to protect other people’s feelings.
There are many reasons the children in the study may have made false confessions. They were so young they may have had trouble understanding the question. We know children tend to say yes more readily than adults when asked yes-no questions.
Research shows children need to explore and test the boundaries of a new concept before they understand it. Play and learning are intertwined, especially for children.
Fibbing emerges in the pre-school years. Children as young as two know how to do it. Lying goes hand in hand with the progression of children’s social skills. While lying is considered a problem behaviour, it also indicates healthy brain development in children and is a cognitive milestone.
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