What should we do when my child cheated in a small classroom quiz? 

Parenting Perspective 

Finding out that your child has cheated on a classroom quiz can feel deeply disappointing. You may worry about their honesty, their reputation at school, or what this choice might mean for their future. However, it is important to remember that cheating, especially at a young age, often comes from a place of fear or pressure, rather than from a malicious intent. This is a crucial teaching moment, not just about schoolwork, but about integrity, trust, and responsibility. 

Understand Why Children Cheat 

A child might cheat in a quiz for several different reasons. 

• Fear of failure: They may be worried about the consequences of getting a bad mark. 

• Pressure to perform: They might feel they have to impress their parents or teachers. 

• Peer influence: They may have copied others because it seemed like ‘everyone else was doing it’. 

• Lack of confidence: They do not believe that they can succeed on their own. 

Teach the Value of Effort over Results 

Explain to your child that their grades are not as important as their honesty. 

• ‘It is always better to try your best and make mistakes than it is to cheat and get a high score.’ 

• ‘Mistakes are what help you to learn. Cheating only stops you from growing.’ 

This helps to reframe the idea of success as being about effort and learning, not just about marks. 

Guide Them on a Fair Path to Repair 

Help your child to make amends for their mistake in three clear steps. 

1. Admit the mistake: Encourage them to speak honestly with you and, if appropriate, with their teacher. A simple script could be: ‘I cheated on the quiz, and I am very sorry. I will try to do it honestly next time.’ 

2. Accept the consequence: If the teacher decides to give them a mark of zero for the quiz, support your child in accepting this consequence with dignity. 

3. Commit to improvement: Make a plan together to study, to practise the topics they find difficult, or to set small goals to help build their confidence. 

Practise Honest Scripts 

A child may feel afraid to admit the truth. You can role-play the situation with them at home to help build their courage. 

Parent (as the teacher): ‘Did you copy from someone else on the quiz?’ 

Child: ‘Yes, I did. I was scared of failing, but I know it was the wrong thing to do. I will work harder next time.’ 

Reduce the Pressure at Home 

If your child feels that only high marks are valued at home, they may be cheating out of a fear of disappointing you. Reassure them by saying: ‘I care much more about your honesty than I do about your score on a test.’ 

Reflect and Build Confidence 

After the incident has been resolved, you can talk about it calmly: ‘What was it that made you feel you needed to cheat this time?’, and, ‘What could you do differently next time you are feeling worried about a quiz?’ 

Praise Their Honesty and Growth 

When your child admits their mistake or works harder for the next quiz, praise their effort: ‘I am so proud that you chose to be honest this time. That showed real courage.’ 

Spiritual Insight 

Supporting your child after they have cheated on a quiz is not about shaming them, but about guiding them towards honesty, accountability, and growth. By showing them how to repair their mistake and connecting the lesson to the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, you can help them to understand that integrity is worth far more than any score. 

Honesty Is a Part of Taqwa (God-Consciousness) 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Anfaal (8), Verse 27: 

‘O you who are believers, do not ever be pretentious (in following the commandment) of Allah (Almighty) and His Prophet (Muhammad ﷺ); and do not misappropriate what has been entrusted upon you, whilst you know (the consequences of such actions).’ 

This verse reminds us that honesty is a trust (amanah) from Allah. Even in something as small as a classroom quiz, being truthful is a part of living with God-consciousness (taqwa). 

Deception Destroys Blessings 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 59, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The buyer and the seller have the choice of canceling the deal until they separate. If they are truthful and make everything clear, they will be blessed in their transaction, but if they conceal and tell lies, the blessing of their transaction will be erased.’ 

This hadith shows the seriousness of all forms of dishonesty. Even a small act of cheating is a form of deception, and it can harm the trust between people. Sharing this with your child can help them to see that being truthful and honest is an essential part of being a Muslim, and that cheating distances a person from the prophetic example. 

Over time, they will learn that true success is not measured by marks on a test, but by their honesty, their effort, and the pleasure of Allah.