Babies can lie

New research shows that babies can "lie" as early as six months.  For example, they can pretend to laugh or pretend to cry to get attention.  Before this researchers thought kids didn’t know how to lie until they were about four years old.  I don’t think they are talking about lying as a form of deception – crying to get attention isn’t lying.  It’s crying on purpose. 

I think any mom could have told you babies will laugh or cry just to get attention – not because they are sad or happy.  At 10 months, Caleb has already mastered the art of laughing just to get people’s attention.  Is he lying?  Not really.  He’s just learned that laughing gets people’s attention.  He’s not pretending to laugh – he’s actually laughing.