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

Robert Coles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1997

Child psychiatrist and Harvard professor Robert Coles has actively dedicated much of his life to exemplifying, teaching, and writing about the moral life. In his wonderful new book, Coles illuminates the ways in which children become moral or not so moral adults, drawing on case studies, talks with parents, visits to nurseries and classrooms, and interviews with children. No subject could be more important and more timely-for all Americans, but especially for parents. In the tradition of such bestsellers as Cultural Literacy and Emotional Intelligence, The Moral Intelligence of Children identifies a new type of intelligence essential for success and fulfillment in life. This Plume edition will be used by parents and teachers for years to come as the authoritative guide to children's moral development. ? 7 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list! ? First serial in Time magazine. ? Major nationwide press. ? Robert Coles, a nationally recognized expert in child development, deals here with one of the hottest issues today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Coles is professor of psychiatry and medical humanities at the Harvard Medical School and a research psychiatrist for the Harvard University Health Services. He has written over 50 books, including the Pulitzer prize-winning five-volume Children of Crisis and the bestselling The Spiritual Life of Children. The James Agee Professor of Social Ethics at Harvard, he also teaches at Duke University during the spring semester, where he devotes much of his energy to the magazine DoubleTake, which he founded in 1995 and which is still based at Duke's Center for Documentary Studies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Plume; 1st edition (December 1, 1997)
• 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: #334,589 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!