At what developmental stage do children typically engage in parallel play?

Parallel play typically occurs during the preschool age years, generally from around 2 to 4 years old. At this stage of development, children begin to play alongside one another while engaging in similar activities, but they do not yet interact directly with one another. This type of play is important because it allows children to learn from each other and develop social skills while still exerting their independence.

During parallel play, children can observe how their peers play, which contributes to their cognitive and social development. They are learning to navigate their environment and forming the basis for future cooperative play as they get older. The other developmental stages mentioned do not typically involve parallel play; for instance, infancy is characterized primarily by solitary exploration, while early adolescence and late childhood are focused on more complex interactions, teamwork, and cooperative play among peers.