At what age do children typically begin to exhibit parallel play?

Children typically begin to exhibit parallel play around 1 to 2 years of age. During this developmental stage, toddlers play alongside each other, engaging in similar activities but without direct interaction. This form of play is important as it allows children to observe and learn from one another while developing their social skills.

At this age, children lack the ability to fully engage in cooperative play, which usually develops later, around ages 3 to 4. Parallel play serves as a critical step towards more interactive forms of play as children begin to understand social dynamics and develop friendships. Thus, recognizing this milestone helps caregivers and educators support children's social development appropriately during early childhood.