<![CDATA[This study aims to analyze the influence of Javanese language habituation on the moral intelligence of children aged 5–6 years with language politeness behavior as a mediator variable. Previous studies have only explained the relationship between regional languages and character formation in general, but have not comprehensively studied the influence of Javanese habituation on moral intelligence based on the framework of moral intelligence and the mediation mechanism of polite language behavior. This research is based on Michele Borba's theory of moral intelligence which explains that children's moral development is built through the seven main virtues, as well as behavioristic which emphasizes the importance of habituation in shaping behavior. This study uses a quantitative approach with an explanatory research design involving 250 preschool-age children in the Madiun Residency area, East Java, Indonesia. Data was collected through questionnaires filled out by parents, then analyzed using mediation analysis in the JASP app. The results showed that the habituation of Javanese good krama had a positive and significant influence directly on children's moral intelligence (β = 0.104; p = 0.005). In addition, the habit of Javanese good manners was also shown to have a significant influence on language etiquette (β = 0.370; p < 0.001), while language etiquette had a very strong positive influence on children's moral intelligence (β = 0.797; p < 0.001). The results of the mediation test showed that language politeness significantly mediated the relationship between Javanese language habits and moral intelligence (β = 0.295; p < 0.001), thus indicating the existence of partial mediation. Findings This research makes a theoretical contribution by expanding the study of the relationship between local culture-based language and moral intelligence through the mediation mechanism of language manners, as well as providing practical contributions for teachers and parents in developing early childhood character education through habituation of the use of Javanese krama alus.]]>
