How to best describe the concept of good and evil to a 4 year old?

Why would you want to tell a 4 year old about evil? I guess if they overheard the word and are asking you have to answer with something.

I think I would just say evil is another way of saying bad. Good and bad.

Good and evil are religious and subjective concepts so…

Good is what makes people happy and evil is what makes people sad.

Of course, it’s way more complex, but this is enough for a kid, I guess.

I would think to the average 4 year old, they already have a concept of good and bad.

Disney
(end of)

Yeah. Evil is the wrong word,I would think.

Good and bad should be like big and small. Creating a black and white system for now,then discussing the grey areas as the child grows and questions arise.

Example ; Petting the doggie is GOOD, hitting the doggie is BAD.

Hugging ,or sharing with your friends is GOOD. Taking things from ,or being mean to your friends is BAD.

Good: Everything you do, that you like.
Evil: Everything anyone else does, that you do not like.

^ What if you do something you don’t like, or someone does something you like?

“Actions speak louder than words.” Use the child in question as an example. When they’re good, people are nice and may reward their good behavior. When they’re bad, they get a spanking. (“Spare the rod and spoil the child.”)

What’s the latest thinking on children’s moral development? Do child psychologists still use Lawrence Kohlberg’s stages of moral development?

During the day show them what is right and what is wrong and at night read them fairy tales.