FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY

NURSING PROGRAM
BUTUAN CITY

Name: Mojeca Christy C. Galla and Dioclestian Casino

Section: N-22

Resource manual

Common Child behavior in preschool year: lying

I. What is Lying?

Lying seems to be a type of behavior related to Skinner’s

analysis. Indeed, lies often seem to be behavior that could be

considered good for the individual, and at the same time harmful

to others and the group more generally.

Parsons, elaborated on the behavior analytic approach to lying

and considered the many circumstances in which verbal behavior might

be considered a lie. For example, Parsons considered the multiple

functions that lies may have, including the extent to which lies may

be distorted tacts)or mands, as when one emits a threatening lie to

manipulate the listener’s behavior.

Pediatric psychologist Mark Bowers says anyone under age 5 is

too young to understand what a lie is. They don't have the same

cognitive capacity as a kindergarten-age kid who begins to learn the

difference between right and wrong.

II. Why do preschoolers lie?

Children might lie to:

 cover something up so they don’t get into trouble

 make a story more exciting

 experiment – for example, by pretending something that

happened in a story was real

 get attention or make themselves sound better

 avoid hurting someone’s feelings – this sort of lie is often

called a ‘white lie’.

 They cannot identify between right and wrong

III. When do they start lying?

 Children can learn to tell lies from an early age, usually

around three years of age. This is when children start to

realize that you aren’t a mind reader, so they can say things

that aren’t true without you always knowing.

 Children lie more at 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 out. The lies also get more complicated,

 because children have more words and are better at

understanding how other people think.

IV. What to do about lying?

 Don't accuse. Couch your comments so they encourage

confession, not denial: "I wonder how these crayons got all

over the living room carpet? I wish someone would help me pick

them up."

 Explain why honesty is important. Your preschooler may tell

you that she knows lying is bad, but until she's 5 or 6, she

won't fully grasp the moral implications of being untruthful.

 Be positive, not punitive. If you expect your preschooler to

tell you when she's done something wrong, don't respond to her

honesty by venting your anger at her.

 Make it easier for your child not to lie. You can start by

thinking about why your child might be telling lies. For

example, if your child is lying to get your attention,

consider more positive ways you could give your child

attention and boost their self-esteem. If your child is lying

to get things they want, consider a rewards system that lets

your child earn the things instead.

 Make a time to talk calmly with your child about how lying

makes you feel, how it affects your relationship with your

 child, and what it might be like if family and friends stop

trusting your child.

 Always tell your child when you know that they aren’t telling

the truth. But try to avoid asking your child all the time if

they’re telling the truth, and also avoid calling your child

a ‘liar’.

V. References

 Krueger, A. 2019. Lying: Why it happens and what to do about

it (ages 3 to 4. Retrieved September 19, 2021 from

https://www.babycenter.com/child/behavior/lying-why-it-

happens-and-what-to-do-about-it-ages-3-to-

4_65462#articlesection1.

 Lanza RP, Starr J, & Skinner BF (1982). “Lying” in the pigeon.

Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 38, 201-

203. Doi: 10.1901/jeab.1982.38-201.

 Parsons HM (1989). Lying. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 7,

43-47.

 Soong, J. Lies, Truths and your Preschooler. Retrieved

September 19, 2021 from

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/preschooler-lying-

and-honesty#1.