NYT: Raising a Moral Child (model action vs. preach, nature vs. nurture, praise character vs. praise action vs. praise person)

Raising a Moral Child by Adam Grant (click to open in new window)

A great article by UPenn Professor and author of “Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success.”  Based on psychological studies about how to raise a child that displays the morals we like- generosity and caring, in particular.

Highlights:
1) Praising character teaches children how to see themselves.  Use nouns.  "Come be a helper and make salad with me."  "Don't be a cheater."  "We are generous people."
2) Modeling moral behavior is the most effective way to develop that value in children.