Today's Tip for Families

2026-10-01

A child's hand with crossed fingers behind back.

Address Dishonesty and Teach Your Child to Tell the Truth

At one time or another, most children say something that isn’t true. Since honesty is a core value in school and life, families are often concerned when their child lies. What makes a child tell lies? And what can you do about it?

There are some stages when falsehood isn’t anything you need to worry about. A young child (aged four or five) may tell a tall tale now and then. At this age, children don’t always know the difference between reality and fantasy.

But older children may say something they know isn’t true. A child might want to avoid doing a disliked task and say “Yes, I put my clothes away,” when they are sitting in a pile on the bedroom floor. Or a child might want to avoid trouble by claiming not to know who broke the vase, when the child is the one who knocked it off the table.

It’s best to deal with this kind of lie in a calm way. Explain to your elementary schooler that you expect everyone in the family to tell the truth. If your child admits to lying, show that you appreciate honesty. “Thanks for being honest, but you will still have to put the clothes away.”

There are some kinds of lies that are a bigger problem. Some children tell lies because they seem more exciting than the truth. Talk clearly with your child about why telling the truth is a must. You may also need to correct the story before it gets out of hand.

Other children seem not to care at all when they tell lies. If you see this pattern in your child, seek help. Talk to a school counselor, or ask for a referral to a professional who can work with you and your child.

Brought to you by:

West Point Consolidated School District