At what age do children typically start to engage in fantasy play?

Children typically start to engage in fantasy play around the ages of 3 to 5. During this developmental stage, children experience significant growth in their imagination and understanding of the world around them. They begin to create scenarios and roles, often imitating adults or characters they have seen in books and media. This type of play is essential as it allows children to explore different aspects of their identity, practice social skills, and develop cognitive abilities by problem-solving and negotiating during playtime.

During ages 1 to 2, children primarily engage in parallel play and sensorimotor activities, focusing more on direct interaction with their immediate surroundings rather than imaginative or role-based play. As for the ages of 6 to 8 or 9 to 12, children are typically more engaged in structured play, sports, or refined interests rather than the free, imaginative play characteristic of earlier childhood. Therefore, the age range of 3 to 5 is designated as the period when fantasy play most prominently emerges.