There could be many reasons why a child has the need to lie. Perhaps this is a habit that has developed due to not trusting the environment or the people in the environment. Perhaps the child has been criticised for efforts made. Perhaps there are influencing factors from family dynamics.

Ours is not to question WHY—but what do we do about it?  Show little to no interest in the lie or story. If pushed for a response, simply say something as non-committal as “Oh!” or “Really!” Spend a lot of effort in connecting the child with the real world via Practical Life exercises.

As a child approaches the age of six, lying is a way of trying to determine Right from Wrong—part of their moral development. For this child, you can acknowledge their question and have a discussion about the story. You can have a fairly frank conversation with a 6-year-old about elaborating on the truth (don’t accuse a child of lying) and how some people might accuse them of lying—but you acknowledge that in the community of children there is no need to lie. Gradually a child who is drawn to lying will settle back into the truth!