Sometimes it happens that young children steal small things.
Not surprisingly, this raises concerns among their parents.
They then wonder if they have raised their child well.
But before parents panic, they should consider why their child might have taken something that doesn’t belong to them.
When do children learn that stealing is wrong?
Very young children do not understand the concept of ownership. If they see something that interests them, they will most likely just take it. First of all, the age of the child is important here. Experts believe that a sense of ownership begins at about two years old, but a full understanding of the concept develops between the ages of three and five. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, it is the age of three to five that is a particularly important time to teach a child values such as honesty and ownership. It is important to set a good example yourself in this aspect. It is also important to pay attention to whether the child brings home, for example, toys from the kindergarten or other items that do not belong to him.What if a child understands that stealing is wrong, but does it anyway?
It is necessary to think carefully about the reasons for theft by a child. Not every such situation is equal. Some young children, who have not yet fully mastered controlling their cravings, may steal for instant gratification – especially items perceived as of little value. They may think it’s just a few candies, for example, whose absence no one will notice. Other children, on the other hand, may have difficulty imagining that someone would be angry or disappointed if they took another person’s things. Bored children, on the other hand, may steal simply for a sense of excitement or to get attention. Another important aspect is whether children steal alone or with peers. They may have taken something that does not belong to them as a joke, because of peer pressure or to impress their peers. It also happens that children who come from poorer backgrounds steal to get items they cannot afford. These items may be particularly valued in their peer group or may be related to something fashionable that everyone else in the group has. It is also possible that our kids are stealing something to get attention from adults or peers. Perhaps they have emotional or psychological problems, and the children are using stealing as a method of coping with the situation. Stealing may indicate that the child is struggling with a deeper problem. In that case, the root cause of the behavior should be addressed first and foremost. Parents, caregivers and educators should approach the situation with empathy and understanding, and work with the child to find more constructive ways to deal with emotions and needs.What to do if a child steals something?
- Stay calm and avoid overreacting. Approach the situation calmly. Yelling at or severely punishing children can make them more likely to steal in the future.
- Tell them that stealing is wrong. It is important to teach children the importance of honesty and trust. Explain how stealing can violate trust between people and destroy relationships.
- Talk to your child. Ask them why they stole and listen to their answers. Try to understand what motivated them to steal.
- Pay attention to your child’s behavior in the future. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t steal again. Praise it when it makes good choices and shows integrity.
- Set clear consequences. Make sure the child understands the consequences of his actions. First of all, we should return, or if that is not possible, buy back the stolen item. The child must also apologize to the person to whom the item was stolen.
- Avoid scare tactics. Don’t threaten to notify the police or call your child a thief or a bad person.
- Seek professional help. If the child’s behavior persists or intensifies, it may be necessary to seek professional help from a psychologist who specializes in working with children.
