Stealing is a common behavior in young children; almost all children take things that don’t belong to
them at one time or another. While stealing is sometimes considered a normal or common behavior in
young children, it must still be addressed. Here are some things that you can do to prevent and deal
with stealing behaviors in children.
Pre-Schoolers
Stealing is a common, normal behavior in pre-school-aged children. Under the age of six, most
children have difficulty understanding the concept of private property. This is because children at this
age are generally self-centered. They feel that they can take what they want, and often don’t
understand that this might be wrong. Because most pre-school aged children do not yet understand
that stealing is wrong, it is usually not a good idea to begin by punishing them for stealing. Instead
look at it as an excellent opportunity to begin teaching the child about ownership. Avoid the mistake
of believing that the child “knows” that it’s wrong. By establishing an expectation that stealing is
unacceptable, you’re in a better position to address the issue if it resurfaces.