7 to 9 years old

From the ages of seven to nine, children become more socially aware and understand the basic rights of others as well as social mores.

The Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, who was the first to make a systematic study of the acquisition of understanding in children, noted that children under 10 years old believe that rules are cast in stone and that since these are governed by adults, they cannot be changed.

But this begs the question: How are they to know these rules are right or wrong?

Ms von Auer said: "They learn what is right or wrong through testing boundaries and experiencing consequences."

Dr Adrian Wang, a consultant psychiatrist at Dr Adrian Wang Psychiatric & Counselling Care, said: ?Children can be taught what is right or wrong from a young age.

"You can teach them values like the need to share when they are as young as two. As they grow older, they will test the limits and you need to keep reminding them what the boundaries are."

He added that peers and the media will influence kids more and more so they need the right guidance. It is important that parents be consistent in their behaviour and language.

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