Children steal, why does it happen?
“Parents, as the child’s first visual role model, should be careful about their behaviors,” said one counselor. The word thief means picking up someone else’s belongings without his permission. Sometimes we come across the scene where children pick up other people’s belongings and bring them home without any personal intention, and parents see such a scene very much. They get angry and usually treat their child harshly.
The most important concern of families is that the habit of picking up other people’s belongings will be repeated in the future, but families should be aware that children of different ages and for different reasons may steal other people’s belongings. These reasons are so different from each other that all these seemingly similar acts can no longer be called “theft”.
For children 3 to 5 years old, picking up other people’s belongings is a common practice, because they still do not understand the concept of property and privacy, they hardly understand that they should not take something that does not belong to them without permission and imagine They have everything at their disposal and they have the power to do anything.
It is better for parents not to punish and blame children for taking other people’s things without permission, instead, it is a good opportunity for them to talk to the child about the wrong thing to do.
This behavior of young children is not theft because they have not yet learned the meaning of this work, children from about 6 years old, not only understand the concept of ownership but also gradually be able to realize the wrongness of their work, at this age parents They need to clarify the boundaries of ownership and the so-called “theft” behaviors.
How parents deal with child theft
The type of parents’ treatment of child theft
It is best for parents to first clearly explain the concept of theft to their child and to reward and encourage the children’s honest behaviors.
Parents should check the child’s belongings from time to time to make sure that no new items provided by the family have been added.
Parents should ask the child for an explanation for the negative behavior, talk to him about the value of the child’s assets, and it is better for the parents to be careful about their actions; Parents are role models for children.
Parents should allow children to take responsibility for their actions and never underestimate theft, which is disgraceful in any situation.
You can explain to your children the difference between stealing and borrowing with examples, refrain from corporal punishment, and never force the child to confess or swear, as this will keep you from finding out the reason for the behavior.
