Teaching Honesty for Kids in 6 Steps

Why is it that when a preacher or a priest commits an immoral act, it’s bigger news than when, say a plumber, commits the same act? It’s because ministry is a character profession. It’s a profession designed to teach God’s character to others, which means all preachers or priests are to be held to a higher standard—God’s standard.

Guess what? Parenting is a character profession too—one where we’re called to exemplify and raise our children up according to God’s standard. We must practice integrity before we can transfer it to our children, and one of the most important aspects of integrity is telling the truth and teaching kids about honesty. Here are 6 ways you can explain and exemplify honesty for kids.

1. Lead by Example

Like most things in parenting, one of the most important things you can do to start teaching kids about honesty is to lead by example and practice integrity yourself. Start right now with a policy that 100% truthfulness is required at all times for everyone in the family, including yourself. Don’t ever tell your kids to lie for you, either—especially when it’s to save face in front of others. To really demonstrate honesty for kids, we need to let them see us tell the truth, even when it’s hard or we have to face the consequences for our actions. 

Seizing opportunities to confess when it crosses your mind to not be completely honest is also a powerful tool for teaching kids about honesty. In these moments, talk about the fear that drove you to consider lying, why you chose to be honest instead, and how you’re glad you did. Teaching kids about honesty always starts and stops with you and the example you provide.

2. Be Honest About Mistakes

Another way to set a good example and encourage honesty for kids, is to be honest when you make a mistake. As parents or caretakers, it might be easier to cover up a mistake and hope no one notices—especially around kids, as they might not be as aware. But when teaching kids about honesty and striving to set a good example of honesty for kids, it’s better in the long run to point out our mistakes—big or small—and talk with your children about how we dealt with them. Help kids see that even though we made a mistake, the world didn’t end, people forgave us, and that by being open and honest about our mistakes with others, not only do we feel much better about ourselves, but our relationships with others were strengthened by vulnerability and authentic communication.

3. Reward Honesty for Kids

While leading by example is important, be sure to pay attention when teaching kids about honesty to how they choose to react to their own mistakes, too. When you see kids act with honesty when it would have been easier to lie, reward that honesty by helping to not make a big deal over the mistake they are confessing. Thank them for their honesty, and while you may still need to have consequences for their mistake, help alleviate those consequences as much as possible so they’re glad they enlisted your help in the matter, rather than covering up their actions. Be sure to talk through how much better things went because of that honesty for kids, rather than deception. Praise their good character, and do all you can to turn that negative experience into a positive one.

4. Apologize When Wrong

Another important facet of teaching kids about honesty is to apologize when we’re wrong. While admitting a mistake is good to showcase honesty for kids, apologies demonstrate being able to look at ourselves honestly, be honest with others about our faults, and then commit to do better with our actions. That’s why, when apologizing, it’s important to actually name the sin or offense and to ask forgiveness from the person you’ve wronged.

5. Encourage Evidence-Based Honesty for Kids

A fifth example of honesty for kids is to teach children to back up what they say or do with evidence. For instance, if you send your child into the store with money to purchase something, tell them you expect them to return with the receipt and correct change. Explain that this isn’t because you don’t trust them, but that you’re helping them to build an important habit of evidence-based honesty for kids to integrate in their life for when it matters later. Explain that by continually providing evidence for others whenever possible to back up your word, this helps build trust so that others won’t have to wonder if everything is above board. When you have a proven track record of being honest, it will be far easier for people to trust you later when it might be hard to.

6. Use Stories to Teach Honesty for Kids 

Last but not least, stories and illustrations are also a great way to teach honesty for kids, and there’s often no better stories than those found in the Bible. God’s Word is full of examples of integrity and honesty for kids to imprint on their hearts.

In John 8:31-32, Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” What does truth set us free from? Slavery to sin, guilt, and regrets. The book of Romans has much to say about freedom from sin; that’s what God’s salvation is all about—freedom from sin and its terrible consequences. Only God’s truth gives that freedom, and one of the ways we can exemplify that truth is by teaching kids about honesty and practicing it ourselves. Frequently teach this biblical principle that truth sets us free. You might even want to hang it on the wall at home to always have a reminder of honesty for kids.

Another such story or visualized lesson you can use for teaching kids about honesty, is The Ice Cream Message from Child Evangelism Fellowship®. It’s about a boy who struggles to do the right thing, but is ultimately glad he made the right decision when he chooses honesty. Help teach kids about honesty this summer by inviting your child’s friends over for a story, playtime, and ice cream, and then read The Ice Cream Message aloud to give real world examples of honesty for kids. You can find The Ice Cream Message party club kit at www.cefpress.com, along with many other helpful resources perfect for teaching kids about honesty and discipling children in the truth of God’s Word.

Let’s make truth attractive to children. Use these ideas to start setting the example of honesty for kids in your home, teaching kids about honesty as a way to grow closer to God and others.