Lying usually refers to any misrepresentation of the truth.
However, the INTENT to falsify the truth plays an important role in determining whether a lie is a purposely-negative act.
Let me simplify that further. Children sometimes unintentionally distort the truth or miss-state the truth unconsciously (due to limited abilities) or are unable to distinguish truth from the untruth correctly.
For our purposes, lying is any conscious misrepresentation of the truth not resulting from limited abilities.
It is very worrying for parents/carers when children lie or do not tell the truth. Most parents/carers become very upset with the lies and overlook what, exactly it means to the child. It is important to understand the reasons, before you react.
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