Three-year-olds may seem like troublemakers, but research suggests that their lies are actually a sign of advanced intelligence. According to Dr. Kang Lee’s study, children start lying as early as two years old and by age three, about half of the kids lie.
So, what makes a child a “liar”? Dr. Lee found that two key abilities are essential: mind-reading ability and self-control. Children who can understand their own thoughts and separate them from others’ must be able to control their speech and facial expressions to convincingly tell lies.
While it may seem alarming at first, lying in young children is actually a normal part of development. It’s associated with positive attributes like intelligence, creativity, and individuation. In fact, most children lie by age four, but this doesn’t mean parents should be concerned.
Dr. Lee’s research shows that children who are good at lying often exhibit healthy traits like imagination and exploration. Their lies may not be about avoiding punishment or getting attention, but rather about expressing themselves through fantasy and play.
It’s essential to remember that lying is a normal part of childhood development, and it’s up to parents to teach their kids the value of honesty while also understanding the complexities of young children’s behavior.
Source: https://www.yourtango.com/family/kids-bad-habit-baby-geniuses