Children under 3 years old cannot really distinguish between reality and fantasy, so they do not understand the concept of lying and telling the truth. But children from 3 to 4 years old and up can distinguish between truth and fantasy, and they know when they are lying.

Preschoolers often lie deliberately and persistently, often out of fear of punishment or disappointing their parents, and sometimes out of forgetfulness. You can teach your child honesty by making sure he or she feels safe and comfortable telling the truth.

Throwing toys, hitting, biting, screaming, and other less-than-lovable behaviors are normal for toddlers. But you can discourage, control, and teach better behavior. In this article, we’ll provide helpful information to understand the challenges and how parents and caregivers can set age-appropriate limits for toddlers.