Calling that a deliberate lie is not accurate, in my opinion. Do you think it is a lie to speak as if dolls and stuffed animals have feelings? (for that matter,

Calling that a deliberate lie is not accurate, in my opinion. Do you think it is a lie to speak as if dolls and stuffed animals have feelings? (for that matter, do you think it is a lie to speak as if characters in a fictional movie have thoughts and feelings?) Pretend play is important. My seven year old understands the distinction between humans, bugs, and toys. But she still pretends, and uses the latter as "empathy practice." This is normal, healthy child development. There is a time and a place for reminding children that bugs probably don't have feelings per se, and that dolls and stuffies especially don't. If you remind them constantly, and never let them go into "pretend mode" without spoiling it with such reminders, let's just say I recommend you avoid situations that put you in much contact with kids.