Preschooler Stealing

Preschooler Stealing

• When is 'borrowing' stealing? Preschoolers don't have an understanding of property. They have to learn about mine, yours, sharing and owning, finding and stealing.
• There are many reasons why little children take things which don't belong to them:
  • to make themselves feel better, just as some adults buy things to make themselves feel better
  • to remember where they were, like a souvenir
  • because they like them
  • because it's something they have always wanted - even three year old children have always wanted something
  • because other children have one
  • because they would like to have something which is special to someone else.
• This behaviour needs to be stopped but at this age isn't really serious. You can:
  • Have the children empty their pockets and take back everything they 'borrowed'. It spoils the taking.
  • Get the child to talk with the person who owns the things; you may have to help with this!
  • Ask them how they would feel to have something of theirs taken without them knowing.
  • Remember 'ownership' has different meanings to different people and different ages.
  • Arrange to borrow something and then return it.
  • Tell the child that this belongs to someone and that they will miss it.
  • Talk about the behaviour but let them know that you still love them.

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

Preschoolers Values :: Preschoolers Teaching For Life
Setting Limits For Preschoolers :: Praise A Preschooler :: Preschooler Lying
Preschooler Stealing :: Out Shopping With Preschooler :: Home

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