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

Children typically begin to engage in parallel play around the age of 2 years. During this stage of development, children play alongside each other rather than directly engaging with one another in cooperative play. Parallel play involves children playing with similar toys or activities within proximity to each other, often imitating one another but not fully interacting.

At this age, their social skills are developing, but they are still largely focused on their own activities, which helps them gain independence and learn through observation. This type of play is a natural progression from earlier behaviors, such as solitary play, where they play alone, and is a foundational step toward more collaborative forms of play that emerge later.

Children around 1 year are typically in a transition phase, where they mainly engage in solitary play. By 4 years, they are more likely to participate in cooperative play, which tends to involve more interaction and shared goals with peers. Therefore, 2 years is the most accurate age for the onset of parallel play.