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

Children typically start to engage in parallel play around the age of 2 years. This stage of play is characterized by children playing alongside each other, using similar materials or activities, but not directly interacting or coordinating their efforts. During this developmental stage, children begin to recognize and acknowledge the presence of others, and while they are not yet engaging in cooperative play, they enjoy the company of their peers.

At around 2 years, children are developing their social skills and emotional understanding, which facilitates this kind of play. They may imitate each other's actions or share space, but they typically focus on their own activities rather than collaborating on them. This is an important step in social development, as it lays the groundwork for more complex interactions, such as associative play and cooperative play, which generally emerge in later years.

Understanding the progression of play types is crucial when observing child development, as it reflects children's growing social awareness and the development of essential skills for later interactions.