Authoritarian parents strictly control their children's behavior and require absolute obedience. Finally, neglectful or uninvolved parents are those that neither respond to nor demand from their children. Naturally, limits are not imposed and parents are emotionally unavailable.

             Play assumes many functions and appearances throughout childhood. Solitary play turns into parallel play, which then becomes cooperative play. During cooperative play, peers-who are children of the same age, providing reciprocal emotional and social support-engage in activities that teach them how to collaborate, negotiate, and participate as leaders, followers, helpers, and evaluators. Although initially peers are siblings, upon entering school classmates become influential peers. Playing with peers affords children the opportunity to gain interpersonal skills, hone communication abilities, view multiple perspectives of a situation, and cooperate and negotiate effectively. What's more, peers serve as a basis from which children socially compare themselves.

             Many psychologists have studied children's moral development; Piaget and Kolberg hold well-known theories in this area. Both Piaget and Kohlberg contend that younger children make decisions based upon rules and consequences; obedience and punishment are what guide their actions. According to Piaget, as children mature, they develop a sense of moral cooperation. In other words, children are able to view situations from another's point of view; they judge actions based on one's intention; they respect authority and recognize that rules can be altered; and they develop a sense of justice. Kohlberg, on the other hand, believes that children's morality is influenced by social acceptance; morality is a reflection of other's expectations. Regardless of theory, children's moral development is important for their overall growth. A healthy sense of morality contributes to children's self-image; it fosters autonomy; and it allows them to positively participate in society.