Honesty is the best policy, but as it turns out, dishonesty is oftentimes the best preparation for adulthood. Researchers have discovered that the earlier a child learns to lie, the more successful he or she will be as an adult. It’s not that lying is crucially important as an adult (although it is), it’s just that lying early is a sign that a child has a faster-developing brain. That makes them more quick-witted, mentally adept, and able to demonstrate higher executive functioning.
“Parents should not be alarmed if their child tells a fib,” said Dr Kang Lee, director of the Institute of Child Study at Toronto University. “Almost all children lie. Those who have better cognitive development lie better because they can cover up their tracks. They may make bankers in later life.”
All children will lie eventually, with age 12 being the most dishonest age for children. The lies start to taper off at about 16. Those with early-developing brains start lying at around age 2, with 90 percent of children telling lies by age 4.
Tags: child behavior, lying children are more successful as adults, dishonest children make more successful adults, success, behavior, lying, Dr. Kang Lee, Institute of Child Study, Toronto University, executive functioning
