Telling lies

[MissMoopy]

My dd is 4 and a half and has recently starting telling silly little lies. They are never about anything big, and are usually pointless.

Yesterday she told me that she hadn't eaten her packed lunch because the teacher took it off her before she could finish it. I checked with nursery and they denied it. I am fairly sure they would tell me the truth.

What do I do? Do I ignore the lies and hope it stops? I plan to have a general chat about lying being wrong anyway. Is this normal behaviour at this age? She is usually such a good girl!

i think its probably normal - my DS is the same age and he tells little fibs too, like when I know he's behind the living room door and he should be upstairs in bed I'll say "Into bed please!" and he'll reply with "I am in bed!"

we've had a chat, but I think they all do it at this age - I think they tell you wahat you want to hear so it will make you happy, rather than get them into trouble!

My dd started telling 'proper' lies at around the age of 7. She was a very good girl too!

But my ds is 5 and has started telling silly little fibs too; I think it's quite normal and as long as it's harmless I wouldn't worry tbh - but do have that talk!

Also young children misinterpret and forget situations fairly easily, so maybe that's what's happened with your dd.

going back to the packed lunch.....
she may have been too preocupied to eat lunch and lunch may have ended, so in her little world she might have been telling the truth iyswim.

i'm worried that when my ds starts school in sept, he will not eat his lunch because he'll be too busy talking... ..... maybe this is more like what happened?

It doesn't mean she's not a good girl, she's just experimenting with fact and fiction I think. Just have a talk with her about the importance of telling the truth.

Little white lies are vital to social situation snad living in groups though too, as adults anyway, so I'd say it's quite normal behaviour.

Red, Reception age children are usually supervised at lunchtime by their Nursery Nurse or TA, plus they have to bring home any uneaten food.

If there is a problem just have a quick word with the NN/TA and they will keep an eye on things.

(ds was refusing to eat at one stage so his NN sat with him and encouraged him to eat)

DS has come home from school saying that they didn't get lunch that day because they were 'too busy'. Some of his friends have also said this. Hmmmm.

Now he is saying that he has brushed his teeth/washed his hands/put on his vest... when he hasn't (really just over the past few days). DP goes nuts but I assume that this is all part of the 'terrible-4s'

DS came home from nursery now saying he didn't have his photo taken today - Then he said he did - I know he did as it was school photo day - but I don't know now if he had one done on his own or not! I will ask them when I take him tomorrow!

Thanks all, all very helpful.
Decided not to challenge her on specific lie and just do some talking about honesty etc over next few weeks.
Laos just have to accept that children tell fibs and all part of growing up, as you pointed out overmydeadbody.