My 8 year old niece has been stealing

[NeverSayNeverEver]

My brother raises my niece on his own. He's a good dad but also emotionally immature and stunted in many ways- he's too honest with her about his own struggles and doesn't handle things with tact or maturity- if he finds out he'll just yell at her. I'm close to my niece and am looking after her for a few days tomorrow- my mum said when she picked her up yesterday her teacher said she'd stolen a toy from another kid- the kid was understandably very upset and they searched everywhere eventually finding the toy my niece's bag- and then a few weeks ago my mum also noticed some money missing from a gift bag she'd been making up for a friend. my niece had asked her who the gift bag for and later the money was gone and my mum found 10 out of the 15 pounds left where my niece had been playing in another room. I want to chat to my niece about it (if I tell my brother i'm not sure he'll handle it well) what should I say?

Kids usually steal when they have an unmet need. From the sounds of it it's not punishment she needs at least.

At that age, I would not call it stealing but taking. She still has poor impulse control and does not fully understand trust, consequences, feelings of other people, and "mine" and "yours". At 8, she also doesn't fully understand the value of money.

Why do you think she does it? What feeling is driving it? What did she do with the money? I would ask her why she took it and what she was thinking when she took it. I would remind her that she needs to ask for things. I would then also think along with her about what she could do next time she feels like taking something without asking, eg. tell an adult that she might take something, so they can help her before she does it. If she cannot stop herself, it is best to give it back as soon as possible.

Many kids and teens go through phases of stealing/ taking things. It is not great, but normal.

Could it be a cry for help.
Perhaps unconsciously acting out to get attention from an authority figure.
Because the parenting she is getting sounds less than good enough.
Her one parent burdens an 8 year old with his emotional struggles.
And yells at her.
And is immature. Seems insensitive to how his uncalm behaviour is adversely affecting the child in his care.
Is he really the best person to be bringing her up. Full time?
With sole charge?
Would he go on a parenting course?