Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews will take place over the next couple of weeks.  Please take this opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss any concerns and celebrate successes.  Instructions to log in to Booked/PTO were sent in an email last week.  Please contact your class teacher if you are unable to book online.

NAPLAN

Most students in Years 3 and 5 have now completed their NAPLAN testing.  Well done to all of you.  Any catch up tests for students who have been absent will take place between now and Monday.  The final day for catch up tests is Monday 24th March.

Chris Edwards

Hello Parents, Students and Colleagues  

Why children tell lies

Children can start lying by the time they start stringing sentences together, between the ages of two and four. The tales they tell may get more elaborate from the age of roughly four and up, as they start to understand what may be more likely to be believed, and as their understanding of how others might think and interpret what they say gets more sophisticated. But the reason behind the lies could also be far less sinister than you think it might be.

Perhaps, your child is just looking to be seen. It might be that they’re feeling invisible to you, and to really get your attention, to get you to make a big deal out of something in their lives, they need to make their story bigger. It can be easier for adults to think their problems, concerns and issues are so much bigger and more important than a child, but important to whom? 

How can parents handle the situation when recognising a lie from their children?

Interestingly, research has found that while almost all children lie at some point, they also have a pretty clear understanding from a young age that lying is wrong. Kay Bussey from Macquarie University, found that children as young as four years of age rated ‘lies about misdeeds as being very bad and that the liar would feel guilty for telling such a lie. Furthermore, they rated this type of lie more negatively than other types of lies and even misdeeds themselves.’  So, children not yet school-aged do understand right from wrong, yet they do it anyway.

How might a parent react to this that would be an effective way to deal with the untrue stories children sometimes tell?

One way to approach children lying, according to Jess Vanderwier, an American psychotherapist, is to come at it with curiosity and compassion.

Vanderwier’s strategies include:

• Staying calm – Your initial reaction sets the tone for the entire interaction. Take a deep breath and remember this is a learning opportunity, not a crisis. By remaining calm, you create a safe space for your child to tell the truth.
• Getting curious – Instead of accusing or jumping to conclusions, ask questions to understand the situation better. In our case, I asked, “Help me understand…” This approach invites your child to explain their perspective without feeling attacked.
• Communicating at their level – When having this conversation, physically get down to your child’s eye level. This simple act shows that you’re present, engaged, and ready to listen, which can make your child feel more comfortable and less intimidated.
• Focusing on truth-telling – Instead of focusing on lying behaviour, focus on truth-telling. Instead of: “You shouldn’t have lied about not eating breakfast.” You can say, “In our family, we always tell the truth, even when we think it means we won’t get what we want. It helps us trust each other and solve problems together.”
• Focusing on connection – Instead of blaming or shaming a child for lying, try connecting with their feelings. “You told me you haven’t eaten breakfast yet because you really want a donut. That makes sense. I’m not mad.”
• Using natural consequences: Rather than punishing your child for lying, allow them to experience the natural consequences of their actions. For instance, if they lie about making a mess, they have to help you clean it up.

Finally, she says when your child tells the truth, especially in difficult situations, praise them for their courage and honesty. Noticing their honesty can encourage more truth-telling in the future.

If you suspect more serious lies might mean signs of harm

Sometimes children lie or keep secrets to hide serious issues, such as experiencing harm or witnessing harm to others. For instance, children who have been bullied by peers might lie because they fear consequences or feel unsafe speaking up.

If you suspect your child is lying to protect someone or themselves:

• Reassure them that they will be safe and supported if they tell the truth
• That you love them no matter what they tell you
• Let them know you’re committed to helping them and making the situation better.

Creating a safe environment is key to encouraging honesty and addressing any underlying issues. This is something that should be done all the time, not just when honesty is questioned.

Information from Little Scholars blog – Jan 2025

Back Row:  Eddie, Manus, Ashton, Eva, William, Brody, Brodie
Front Row:  Tanner, Summer, Evie, Jackson, Ashlyn, Halle, Oscar