Some children begin stealing because their peers are doing it and they want to be accepted by a certain peer group. Some children may steal as a symptom of some underlying problem. There are many things that parents can do to prevent the onset of stealing behavior in their children. Discuss and explain why stealing is wrong. Parents should make sure that their children know why stealing is wrong.
Parents can point out that stealing means taking something that rightfully belongs to someone else.
While children are very young it is a good idea for parents to begin teaching their children what ownership means. Parents can explain that people have a right to their own property, and that it is wrong to take something that belongs to someone else. Parents can also use examples that occur in everyday life, such as by explaining to children how one pays for things at the store and borrows books from the library, by pointing out things in the home that belong to different people, what gifts are, etc. Teach appropriate ways of getting what one wants. Parents should teach their children how to get what they want without stealing.