Little Liars- Why Kids Fib & How Parents are Making Them Better Liars

Little Liars: Kids become better liars with age.

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by Christine Noel/ Billy Carrier, Photojournalist
by Carlos Martinez, Editor

Story Created: Jun 27, 2012 at 10:30 AM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 28, 2012 at 9:29 AM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-  It's something that all  kids do at some point : Lie right to their parents face. How mom and dad handle that lie could make their child a better liar.

Psychologist Dr. Lisa Pennington say kids lie for two reasons: reinforcement and to avoid punishment, and with practice, become better liars with age.

"All kids are going to do it. Especially situations that are about avoidance or elaboration in some way," says Pennington.

Parents play a hand in this too. If they catch their kid in a lie but still ask the question "Did you do it?"- they are giving their child the chance to lie again. The result: stronger liars.

"All that outcome of going into 'Did you do it? Did you do it?' You actually create a better liar because they learn to create better stories throughout that process," says Pennington.

Despite the dishonest nature, she says there is an upside; kids who lie well tend to be creative and socially intuitive. Pennington says the best way to handle a little liar is to tackle the situation head on then wipe the slate clean.

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