Why Do Children Lie? Malaysian Experts Offer Insights into Child Psychology

Understanding Children's Lies: A Malaysian Radio Show Explores the Underlying Emotions Malaysia – A recent viral video sparked a discussion on a Malaysian radio show about why children lie. The video showed a young girl being scolded by her teacher, prompting Zayan, a digital and radio platform, to address the issue. The show featured Dr. Putri Afzan Maria Zulkifli, an expert in early childhood education and child mental health. "Children may manipulate and change stories as a self-preservation mechanism," explained Dr. Zulkifli. "They might not fully grasp the concept of 'lying' as defined in dictionaries, but they're adept at altering narratives to protect themselves." The discussion highlighted that adult reactions, such as anger, often stem from underlying emotions like hurt and fear. The show emphasized the importance of understanding these underlying emotions in both children and adults to foster better communication and responses. This approach encourages empathy and rational responses, moving away from knee-jerk reactions.