Sophocles: The truth is always the strongest argument.
Christopher Morley: Things are never quite the same somehow after you have to lie to a person.
Very young children can confuse the difference on where their imaginations end and the truth begins. A lie has the intent to make someone believe something they know is untrue. Lies break trust and it is then more difficult for others to believe us, even when we are telling the truth. When a lie is told, often more lies have to be told to back up the original lie. If telling the truth would hurt someone’s feelings, say nothing, or honestly admit you do not know. The best teaching tool of truthfulness and honesty is for parents and teachers be a model the trait. Praise your children when they are honest, and try not to lose your temper when children lie. Take the circumstance and turn it into a teaching moment. Ask the child how next time, should the situation be handled.
