Social and psychological development shapes a child's character and personality as well as academic achievement. This article examines five factors that are critical to this development: self-esteem, achievement motivation, social skills, coping skills, and aspirations. Self-esteem should be a desired result in and of itself, enhancing the quality of students' lives now and in the future. Achievement motivation refers to the ability to persist at tasks or activities to accomplish a goal or learning outcome; it is the drive that students must generate to get things done. Effective social skills allow students to interact effectively with others in a productive, meaningful, and nonviolent manner. Students with good social skills are able to develop friendships, work cooperatively with classmates and teachers, and have tolerance for those they may view as different. A student with good coping skills will be able to overcome a difficult situation whether it is mastering a tough subject or getting along with a particular teacher. Students with poor coping skills create a situation of "learned helplessness," believing they can have little impact on a difficult situation, because it is beyond their control. Students with high aspirations develop challenging and realistic ideas and plans for future careers and adult life in general. Developing such aspirations is a goal of the "school to work" programs in many schools. (Contains 24 references.) (DFR)