At what age does parallel play usually start?

Parallel play typically begins around the age of 2 years. At this stage of development, children become increasingly aware of their peers and start to play alongside other children, engaging in similar activities without directly interacting or collaborating. This type of play is an important part of social development as it lays the groundwork for future cooperative play, which becomes more prominent as children grow older.

During parallel play, children may use the same toys or engage in similar actions, but they do not necessarily coordinate their play or exchange ideas. This behavior signifies a developing social awareness and readiness to engage in more complex social interactions in the future.

While some children may show signs of parallel play earlier or later than 2 years, the age of 2 is widely considered the typical starting point for this stage in child development.