The article quotes Kang Lee, a professor at the Institute of Child Study at the University of
Toronto, who says that lying is part of typical preschool development, and that it “reflects
that the child’s cognitive ability has reached a new milestone” [1] — it means they have
started to understand that they can use words to get their parents to think something that
isn’t actually true. Furthermore, the article points out that children are encouraged to lie
in certain situations, such as when they receive a present they don’t like ("Tell Grandma
you like the sweater or she’ll be upset!"). While only one third of three year olds lie, over
80% of four year olds lie [1]. The Today’s Parent article goes on to explain that parents
who catch their child in a lie can use the opportunity to explain what lying is, why it is
wrong, and how the child might better handle that situation.