The Moral Intelligence of Children: How to Raise a Moral Child [Paperback]

Robert Coles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998

Robert Coles, one of America's leading authorities on young people, explores in this book a question crucial for many people today: How can you raise a child to be a good person whose moral character and strong values will steer and sustain him through life? This book distinguishes how moral intelligence is different from - but as important to success as - other kinds of human development, as significant as emotional or psychological growth, as IQ or intellectual development. Coles shows how children can be taught to become "smart" in this inner spiritual realm - to learn empathy, respect for themselves and others, and how to live the Golden Rule - through witnessing the conduct and caring of others and through moral conversations. Coles then embarks on an exploration of how values are born and shaped moment by moment, over what he calls "the moral archaeology of childhood." In infancy, Coles explains, there is a moral life that precedes language, and he considers the character of an infant, discussing such topics as Anna Freud's Yes and No, "the spoiled child, " and how to stop a baby from becoming a bully. The elementary school years are the Age of Conscience, when a child's character is built and consolidated - or fails to be - and Coles explores such problems as the schoolgirl caught cheating and the smart boy who distracts others so as to detract from their success. Combining anecdotes with instruction, Coles goes on to discuss what to do during the teenage years - how to cope with alcohol, drugs, sex, and other moral dilemmas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Plume; 1st edition (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452279372
• ISBN-13: 978-0452279377
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.6 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #622,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert Coles is professor emeritus at Harvard University and the author of numerous books, including his series Children of Crisis, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize. He has also won a MacArthur Award, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a National Humanities Medal. He lives in Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Practical advice for parents and teachers, well written, May 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Moral Intelligence of Children: How to Raise a Moral Child (Paperback)

Moral Intelligence one of numerous books Robert Coles has written is in a way in a culmination of the years he has spent working with children in families. It is a topic that has intrigued him since he was a student of psychology, and has continued to play a role in his life. He offers many personal insights and examples from his own life-showing that even a expert psychologist can learn from his own children-the rest of us should be equally humble!

Moral intelligence is the theory put forth by Dr. Coles, that children learn some of the most important lessons by observing the behaviors of those around them in authority positions (mainly parents and teachers). His theory goes beyond the teaching of moral lessons such as "you shouldn't steal, or lie" and reaches a deeper level of analysis. He theorizes that children pick up and retain information about moral behavior from witnessing the actions of others. He defines moral intelligence as the actions of one that effect the behavior of another. He feels that this manner of learning has a more lasting impact on children.

Dr. Coles states that he has been interested in moral intelligence much of his life. This topic is something he feels truly passionate about and it shows in this work and in this book. Critics may dismiss this work as simple common sense but it goes well beyond that, and cannot be summed up so easily. While the advice he offers may seem elementary-it is not being followed by many parents and bears repeating. He writes from both his heart and his mind and provides necessary reassurance and guidance for parents and teachers who may be struggling with the decisions and choices they must make each and every day. His book is unique in that it is a resource for parents, teachers and academics.

The book is an enjoyable read no matter what your purpose. He provides a glimpse into his own life so we can all see that no one is above being taught. He states that he has learned some of the most important lessons from his own son. If he can learn, so can we. He offers advice that everyone should be able to follow.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The moral intelligence of children, December 10, 1999

By 

Dave DeStefano (Manchester, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Moral Intelligence of Children: How to Raise a Moral Child (Paperback)

It is evident that Robert Coles has an immense amount of insight on the psychology of young children. His work in this book extends to young children of all ages. He doesn't waste time spilling disheartening statistics that scares the reader. Coles discusses the issues and concerns of young children that help link their moral intelligence to moral life. His background in children psychology is deep and experienced, using ideas and shared beliefs with other professional masterminds of children psychology. Children believe that they are the world and everything revolves around them. Robert Coles dissects the moral intelligence by sharing his personal experience and observations with children of all ages. It is clear that Coles has a deep passion in his work. His feelings for the children he has worked with go beyond than just an observer. As Coles explains, moral intelligence derives from the surroundings that children observe. He seems to provide a solution to all aspects of child psyche. He covers angles in which parents and teachers can handle certain situations. Coles uses this book to fill the voids that children need. The moral intelligence is created by the child, but can be molded by proper guidance. Although children create personal shield around themselves, Coles offers a solution to the guidance that is vital to the development of the child. This book is a great tool to help teachers and parents how to adjust to the child who suddenly is becoming distant to moral reasoning. Coles perspectives are eye-opening and brilliant. Behaviors you would normally avoid and consider abnormal can be catered to by the help of this book. It just makes you want to serve and protect young

5.0 out of 5 stars I liked it!, January 21, 2011

By 

CatKit - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Moral Intelligence of Children: How to Raise a Moral Child (Paperback)

I was surprised to see only a few stars for this book. I read it cover to cover and it was good. Teach our children to have a moral compass. I'm all for it. Frankly I find that to be more important than academics, yet it's so rarely emphasized. Keep up the good work Robert!