Understanding Parallel Play in Toddlers
Play is an important part of your child’s healthy development. When your toddler encounters other kids you might notice that he or she tends to play alongside, rather than with, the others. This is called parallel play and it’s perfectly normal for this stage of play development.
Read to see some examples of parallel play, what parallel play is and how it helps develop your toddler’s social play.
What Is Parallel Play?
Parallel play is when two or more toddlers play near one another or next to one another, but without interacting directly. They will sometimes be observing and even mimicking the other child.
It’s one of the six stages of play that most children pass through on the way to developing the social skills they need to interact with other kids in the way you might think of as ‘proper’ playing.
In Summary Parallel play is one of the six stages of play and involves your toddler playing next to another child and observing or mimicking the other child without direct interaction. |
What Is an Example of Parallel Play?
During toddlerhood, imitation and pretend games are common. An example of parallel play might be your child imitating what a playmate is doing while not seeming to interact with him or her directly. So, if the other child is playing with blocks, your toddler may decide to play with blocks too.
Keep in mind that your little one doesn’t yet understand the concept of sharing. For example, if there is only one toy car or play figure and your toddler sees a playmate playing with it, he or she may decide to try taking it. This could lead to a conflict that you’ll need to help resolve.
Now that your child is in the stage of toddlerhood sometimes referred to as the terrible twos, you may find that outbursts or conflicts like this are becoming more frequent.
A good way of dealing with a squabble over a preferred toy could be to distract your child and/or offer another toy. This strategy often works with toddlers around this age, because they still have a fairly short attention span.
In Summary An example of parallel play could be two children both playing with building blocks, sometimes watching and imitating each other but not communicating or interacting directly. |
Why Is Parallel Play Important?
Play is important for your toddler’s development. It helps your child develop all sorts of skills including
listening
making eye contact
turn-taking
using and understanding language
problem-solving
creativity.
Although it might seem odd to see two children playing side-by-side without communication, parallel play is an important stage in the process of learning about social play and cooperation with others.
As your child matures, he or she will start playing more collaboratively, actively and imaginatively.
How Can You Encourage Parallel Play?
Here’s how you can encourage and help your toddler with parallel play:
To help your child transition from solitary to parallel play, try playing alongside your toddler yourself, using similar or identical toys
Encourage your child to accept toys from you, for example by offering more blocks to stack if that’s what your toddler is doing
Praise your child if he or she tries to interact or copy you
Give your child opportunities to play with other children
It’s OK to let the children play and do their own thing, but be sure to keep an eye on them to prevent fights over toys
Ensure the play area is safe
Never leave the children unattended.
In Summary Encourage and help parallel play by playing alongside your toddler with similar toys and praising his or her attempts to imitate or interact with you. Make opportunities for your child to play alongside other kids but keep an eye on them for safety and in case you’re needed to referee spats over toys. |
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What Is the Age Range for Parallel Play?
Parallel play is most common between the ages of 2 1/2 and 3 1/2; but children develop at their own pace so it might start a little earlier or later than this.
Before that, your toddler or baby probably just played ‘alone’, without showing any interest in what other children are doing nearby.
At around 2 years old, toddlers often start watching other children play, but without joining in themselves. This is a sign that the stage of parallel play could start sometime in the following weeks or months.
Later, between the ages of 3 and 4, you child will start to engage more with other children. Even during this next stage, known as associate play, your toddler won’t be interacting fully. For example, several children might be playing on the same piece of playground equipment but all doing their own thing – for example, climbing, sliding down the slide or swinging.
The fully interactive stage of play, known as cooperative play, usually starts after around the age of 4 years.
In Summary Parallel play is most common between the ages of 2 1/3 and 3 1/2, but it could start earlier or later than this as children develop at different rates. |
What Are the 6 Stages of Play?
The six stages of play, and the approximate ages when they can occur, are:
Unoccupied play (birth to 3 months). This may seem like random arm and leg movements at first, gradually becoming more coordinated as your baby discovers how his or her body moves.
Solitary play (0 to 2 years). Your child plays alone, without taking any interest in what others are doing.
Spectator/onlooker behaviour (2 years). Your curious toddler starts watching other children play, but without joining in.
Parallel play (2+ years). Your little one plays alongside or nearby others, sometimes observing or mimicking the other child, but without interacting with them.
Associate play (3 to 4 years). You child starts interacting with other kids when playing, but only a little. For example, two or more more children could be playing in the same playhouse, but each doing a different activity.
Cooperative play (4+ years). Your child starts playing with others and takes an interest in the other kids and the game that they are playing.
Keep in mind that the age ranges given here should only be taken as a rough guide, as all children develop at their own pace. If you have any questions or concerns about your toddler’s development, speak to your health visitor or your child’s doctor.
In Summary The six stages of play are: • Unoccupied play. Learning how to coordinate movement. • Solitary play. Playing alone with no interest in other children’s play. • Spectator/onlooker behaviour. Watching other children play. • Parallel play. Playing alongside another child without interaction. • Associate play. Playing together but doing different activities. • Cooperative play. Playing interactively with other children. |
The Bottom Line
Parallel play is just another step in your child’s healthy development. Even though your toddler is not interacting with his fellow playmates yet, playing alongside them is normal and means that your little one is already learning the basics of social play.
Before long, you’ll notice your toddler taking more of an interest in other kids and what they’re doing, whether it’s on a playdate, at nursery school or the playground. You’ll love seeing how your little one’s world expands with each new friendship and adventure.
The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS). You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.