At what stage of development do children typically begin to engage in parallel play?

Children typically begin to engage in parallel play around the age of 2 years. At this stage of development, they play alongside other children but do not directly interact with them. This form of play is characterized by children playing with similar toys or engaging in similar activities but independently.

Developmentally, this behavior reflects an important transition where children start to enjoy the presence of peers, yet they are still focused on their own play activities rather than collaborative interactions. As they grow older, especially around 3 and 4 years of age, they will increasingly participate in more interactive forms of play, such as associative play and cooperative play, where they share toys, take turns, and engage in structured play activities together.