There is evidence that there are three main personality types in childhood and the Virtual Child's behavior beginning at age 3 and 4 is designed to resemble one of these personality types. The personality types combine some of the temperamental traits with which you are already familiar. The overcontrolled category refers to a child who is cooperative, and follows the rules, but is shy in social situations and anxious and clingy under pressure. The undercontrolled category refers to a child who is uncooperative or even aggressive, does not follow the rules, is not particularly shy in social situations, and has a tendency to become distracted and overly emotional, particularly when under stress. The resilient category refers to a child who is cooperative and follows the rules, is friendly, non-aggressive and outgoing, is able to focus on tasks without being too distracted, has good regulation of his or her emotions, and is adaptable to new situations

Vivian (Her name) is not very energetic and likes to pursue quiet activities, such as playing simple board games, watching TV, or reading.Vivian seems to know that the cartoons she watches aren't real, but she gets nervous or scared when watching prime-time dramas or even "G" rated videos.

Vivian has been in preschool for a while and you are curious about her progress. So you hire your friend the early development specialist to do a formal assessment and observation at the preschool during the summer.

Based on the testing situation and the observations at the preschool, your friend thought that Vivian was cooperative and friendly with both adults and other children, and able to focus well on tasks. Vivian was quite self-confident in novel social situations and seemed to be well-liked by several children. She had several little friends in the preschool and was somewhat of a group leader in free play activities, such as imaginary play or riding trikes. She recommended that Vivian continue at the same preschool, and that you continue to be affectionate but firm on the rules at home. She thought that this was an appropriate age for Vivian to have little friends over from time to time, or to visit their homes for play dates.

She scored about average in language comprehension and production. For example, when asked to tell a story about a funny picture, she was able to give the broad outlines as well as a few interesting details. Your friend recommended having more conversations with Vivian about anything of interest, reading aloud, watching educational television together and going to places of interest to her.

Vivian was above average in understanding quantitative relationships such as "more/less", "longer/shorter", in counting skills, in classifying objects (e.g., types of animals) and in solving age-appropriate reasoning tasks. Your friend recommended that you continue to follow Vivian's interests, and to work on these skills indirectly (e.g., encourage counting as a part of games or other activities Vivian enjoys), rather than trying to teach them directly.

She performed about average in copying designs, solving picture puzzles, and building block towers to match one made by the examiner. Your friend encouraged you to promote any of these activities that Vivian enjoys.

Vivian's gross motor skills are within the average range, for example, climbing, riding on trikes, climbing, kicking balls and playing catch. Encouraging more of these activities would be a good idea.

You filled out a parenting questionnaire. The developmental specialist reported that your scores indicate you are about average in warmth and affection displayed toward Vivian.

The parenting questionnaire scores indicate you are currently about average in the discipline and control you exercise with Vivian.

Q: What kind of daily activities do you engage in with your virtual child to teach them culturally valued skills?

Q: Your child returns from a play date at a friend's house, and this friend's parent tells you that your child was difficult to handle and showed little impulse control. How would you respond to this parent?