Children under age 6 often tell tales and have difficulty distinguishing between reality and fantasy. Telling tall tales is entirely different from lying. This usually is just an expression of your child's imagination at work, and does no harm to anyone.
Tall tales become more harmful when your child reaches age 6 and you--or your child--can no longer distinguish truth from fantasy. At this point, your child might have a problem. Find out what may be causing your child's lying and how to end it.
The Causes
A child's lying may be the result of numerous factors. These can include:
- Fear of disappointing a parent
- Avoiding punishment
- Seeking attention
- Crying out for help
- Avoiding stressful situations
- Imitating the behavior of the adults around him
Read more on About.com:
Three Lies Children Tell - and What You Can Do About Them
Help for the Child Who Lies
Children's Lying Category
