{"id":66402,"date":"2025-08-06T11:59:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T19:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/?p=66402"},"modified":"2025-09-11T09:05:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T17:05:06","slug":"the-6-stages-of-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/advice\/the-6-stages-of-play\/66402","title":{"rendered":"The 6 Stages of Play in Child Development (And How to Support Each One)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1307\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stages-of-play-main-image.jpg\" alt=\"Children running across a field together playing outdoors.  \" class=\"wp-image-66780\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stages-of-play-main-image.jpg 1307w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stages-of-play-main-image-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stages-of-play-main-image-1200x551.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stages-of-play-main-image-768x353.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1307px) 100vw, 1307px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-3rem-padding aofl-waysToShare is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47a719f33439870cf61c9e1b4503e402\" style=\"color:#01075f\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cac72e5565515bed76b2ed0d621b23ca\" style=\"color:#467ff7\"><strong>Share<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links has-icon-color has-icon-background-color aofl-social-icons-share is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li style=\"color:#467ff7;background-color:#ffffff00;\" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/%20\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li style=\"color:#467ff7;background-color:#ffffff00;\" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-pinterest  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/%20\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12.289,2C6.617,2,3.606,5.648,3.606,9.622c0,1.846,1.025,4.146,2.666,4.878c0.25,0.111,0.381,0.063,0.439-0.169 c0.044-0.175,0.267-1.029,0.365-1.428c0.032-0.128,0.017-0.237-0.091-0.362C6.445,11.911,6.01,10.75,6.01,9.668 c0-2.777,2.194-5.464,5.933-5.464c3.23,0,5.49,2.108,5.49,5.122c0,3.407-1.794,5.768-4.13,5.768c-1.291,0-2.257-1.021-1.948-2.277 c0.372-1.495,1.089-3.112,1.089-4.191c0-0.967-0.542-1.775-1.663-1.775c-1.319,0-2.379,1.309-2.379,3.059 c0,1.115,0.394,1.869,0.394,1.869s-1.302,5.279-1.54,6.261c-0.405,1.666,0.053,4.368,0.094,4.604 c0.021,0.126,0.167,0.169,0.25,0.063c0.129-0.165,1.699-2.419,2.142-4.051c0.158-0.59,0.817-2.995,0.817-2.995 c0.43,0.784,1.681,1.446,3.013,1.446c3.963,0,6.822-3.494,6.822-7.833C20.394,5.112,16.849,2,12.289,2\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Pinterest<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li style=\"color:#467ff7;background-color:#ffffff00;\" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-mail  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/%20\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M19,5H5c-1.1,0-2,.9-2,2v10c0,1.1.9,2,2,2h14c1.1,0,2-.9,2-2V7c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm.5,12c0,.3-.2.5-.5.5H5c-.3,0-.5-.2-.5-.5V9.8l7.5,5.6,7.5-5.6V17zm0-9.1L12,13.6,4.5,7.9V7c0-.3.2-.5.5-.5h14c.3,0,.5.2.5.5v.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Mail<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li style=\"color:#467ff7;background-color:#ffffff00;\" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-etsy  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/%20\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M9.16033,4.038c0-.27174.02717-.43478.48913-.43478h6.22283c1.087,0,1.68478.92391,2.11957,2.663l.35326,1.38587h1.05978C19.59511,3.712,19.75815,2,19.75815,2s-2.663.29891-4.23913.29891h-7.962L3.29076,2.163v1.1413L4.731,3.57609c1.00543.19022,1.25.40761,1.33152,1.33152,0,0,.08152,2.71739.08152,7.20109s-.08152,7.17391-.08152,7.17391c0,.81522-.32609,1.11413-1.33152,1.30435l-1.44022.27174V22l4.2663-.13587h7.11957c1.60326,0,5.32609.13587,5.32609.13587.08152-.97826.625-5.40761.70652-5.89674H19.7038L18.644,18.52174c-.84239,1.90217-2.06522,2.038-3.42391,2.038H11.1712c-1.3587,0-2.01087-.54348-2.01087-1.712V12.65217s3.0163,0,3.99457.08152c.76087.05435,1.22283.27174,1.46739,1.33152l.32609,1.413h1.16848l-.08152-3.55978.163-3.587H15.02989l-.38043,1.57609c-.24457,1.03261-.40761,1.22283-1.46739,1.33152-1.38587.13587-4.02174.1087-4.02174.1087Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Etsy<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li style=\"color:#467ff7;background-color:#ffffff00;\" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-chain  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/%20\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M15.6,7.2H14v1.5h1.6c2,0,3.7,1.7,3.7,3.7s-1.7,3.7-3.7,3.7H14v1.5h1.6c2.8,0,5.2-2.3,5.2-5.2,0-2.9-2.3-5.2-5.2-5.2zM4.7,12.4c0-2,1.7-3.7,3.7-3.7H10V7.2H8.4c-2.9,0-5.2,2.3-5.2,5.2,0,2.9,2.3,5.2,5.2,5.2H10v-1.5H8.4c-2,0-3.7-1.7-3.7-3.7zm4.6.9h5.3v-1.5H9.3v1.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Link<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#0515bd\"><strong>The 6 Stages of Play in Child Development (And How to Support Each One)<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#767676;font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">Learn how to engage with your child during each stage of play and the difference between unoccupied, solitary, parallel, and cooperative play.&nbsp;<br><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-advice-table-ofcontents has-background\" style=\"border-radius:5px;background-color:#e9f5ff\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-background\" style=\"color:#01075f;background-color:#bdd7ff\">Table of Contents\u2013Jump to Each Section<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5e6be6644aa37ca0608d40baa76bcd6d\" style=\"color:#033eaa;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><a href=\"#stages-of-play\" title=\"\">What Are the Stages of Play?<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b9dcb68079d557d5365bd686ff203f21\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><a href=\"#importance\" title=\"\">Why the 6 Stages of Play Are Important<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ac1559541c6c58ddbc97711a75b021bd\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><a href=\"#examples-tips\" title=\"\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>The 6 Stages of Play: Explanations, Examples<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>, and Tips for Supporting<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-aee3cb1df8cfa947c8ff87f96c2a907f\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><a href=\"#other-play\" title=\"\">Other Types of Play<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dbc1daca670a0b1b09b4ac992a017e0b\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><a href=\"#support\" title=\"\">How to Support Healthy Play at Every Stage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5485712b5b8c84b910de58b79cb7c2db\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><a href=\"#faq\" title=\"\">Stages of Play FAQ<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:2px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading aofl-advice-subheading anchor-link-with-margin has-text-color\" id=\"stages-of-play\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><strong>What Are the Stages of Play in Early Childhood Development?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Nearly one hundred years ago, sociologist Mildred Parten developed the <a href=\"https:\/\/psycnet.apa.org\/record\/1933-03543-001\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">theory of the 6 stages of play<\/a> in early childhood social development. She observed a group of preschool children aged 2 to 5 and noted the different ways in which they played socially and non-socially. In her doctoral dissertation, she first defined the six stages of play that are still recognized today:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 6 Stages of Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Parten found there were two general types of play, non-social and social, which she then broke down into the six stages of her theory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8dca0e93 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-08fa1d3715742ea9e52071c794dd152a\">\n<li>Unoccupied Play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Solitary Play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Onlooker Play<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f0aab62197ccf275e06c84019d0670a4\">\n<li>Parallel Play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Associative Play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/advice\/cooperative-play\/68060\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Cooperative Play<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Both social and non-social stages of play have their place in early childhood development, and children generally progress through them as they grow. However, it\u2019s not a strict hierarchy\u2014<strong>many children move back and forth between these stages as they develop. <\/strong>And while Parten noted general ages at which children participated in certain types of play, these ages are guidelines rather than strict rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Mildred Parten\u2019s 6 Stages of Play<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"633\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stages-of-play.png\" alt=\"A diagram of the 6 stages of play. \" class=\"wp-image-66406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stages-of-play.png 633w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/stages-of-play-300x273.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 633px) 100vw, 633px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading aofl-advice-subheading anchor-link-with-margin has-text-color\" id=\"importance\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Why the 6 Stages of Play Are Important<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Child psychologists and early childhood development specialists may use these stages of play to evaluate and assess children for age-appropriate behaviors. <strong>An understanding of the 6 stages can help parents encourage age-appropriate play styles and recognize when a child might need further guidance or professional help. <\/strong>Knowing the stages also helps parents avoid pushing their kids into types of play they might not be ready for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">For example, expecting a 2-year old to regularly play cooperatively with others is unrealistic. But if a 5-year old still only mainly engages in solitary play, this could indicate a need for further observation or support in developing social skills. <strong>To learn more about your child\u2019s play stages, watch them in group settings with other children and look for the behaviors associated with each stage.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading aofl-advice-subheading anchor-link-with-margin has-text-color\" id=\"examples-tips\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">The 6 Stages of Play: <strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Explanations, Examples<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>, and Tips for Parents &amp; Teachers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Mildred Parten\u2019s 6 stages of play explain how children use play to learn about the world around them, expanding outward from understanding their own body and its movements to learning to function in social groups.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;background-color:#dee3ff7a;line-height:1.5\"><strong><strong>Note:<\/strong> The ages given here are guidelines only<\/strong>. It\u2019s normal for children to move back and forth between stages and progress at their own speed. If you have any concerns about your child, consult an expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" id=\"versus\" style=\"color:#033eaa;line-height:2\"><strong>What Is Unoccupied Play?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#2D56BF;border-width:1px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a99846563a9fc05f0d93d660a95e96d8\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Unoccupied play<\/strong> refers to a type of free, self-directed play where infants engage with their surroundings and their own bodies without any set objective or adult guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-05c439d981ab8a5461bf9c59f489c24e\"><strong>Most Common at Age:<\/strong> Birth to 3 months<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9174657099f72480db6ee0f83c5a1f6a\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Characteristics of Unoccupied Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f2ad4dff2cbe8b9112871ec664042d7a\">\n<li>Seemingly random movements, often repetitive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watching others closely, but not interacting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reaching for an object without necessarily grabbing it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0ae24c208aac22543a98f8c186783d0d\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Examples of Unoccupied Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1054df41ea19eec0816c10b394944c96\">\n<li>Kicking legs and waving hands<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watching a crib mobile or ceiling fan spin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Splashing water in the bath<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grabbing their own toes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">Pointing at people or things<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c6db1d78a7345d399b5e132e1df30c66\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\"><strong>What Unoccupied Play Looks Like:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/unoccupied-play-baby-with-toy.jpg\" alt=\"A young baby in her crib biting on a colorful rattle toy. \" class=\"wp-image-66784\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/unoccupied-play-baby-with-toy.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/unoccupied-play-baby-with-toy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/unoccupied-play-baby-with-toy-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"aofl-no-margin has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Babies begin to play from the moment they\u2019re born. <strong>Their earliest play involves their body itself, as they try out different movements to see what the results will be<\/strong>. Though these behaviors may seem meaningless to adults, they\u2019re actually a very<strong> important part of early motor skills development.<\/strong> Infants are learning how to process <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/advice\/a-parents-guide-to-play-based-learning\/8199\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">sensory<\/a> input from the world around them, gathering information from what they see, hear, and feel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:15px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ecddeae5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7e4127b495b5bf488bab049f63837993\"><strong>How Parents\/Teachers Can Support Unoccupied Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-35ffe4dd778e68cdb5d1f414f678b9de\"><strong>This is the age at which experts strongly recommend \u201ctummy time,\u201d<\/strong> which helps strengthen shoulder and neck muscles. Simply place your child on their stomach for a few minutes each day. As they get older, you can place toys nearby for them to focus on and reach for.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ad056743947be9f15c9edfab85273958\"><strong>Provide safe, stimulating places for infants to explore.<\/strong> Give them room to wiggle and move, and provide new objects to look at, sounds to hear, and other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/activities\/sensory-play-ideas\/68335\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">sensory experiences<\/a> like sensory mats or mirrors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ec93c23b891a1d87ea2166fe112e8b53\"><strong>It\u2019s okay not to interact with your infant constantly!<\/strong> In fact, they need time for unoccupied play on their own, allowing them to process their bodies and environment at their own pace.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" id=\"versus\" style=\"color:#033eaa;line-height:2\">What Is Solitary Play?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#2D56BF;border-width:1px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1a565dfbd8abb933efd26ebb4ce6c371\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:0;line-height:1.5\"><strong>Solitary play<\/strong>\u2014also called independent play\u2014is a developmental stage where a child plays on their own, without engaging or interacting with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d6b845aa2e9753197d73dbde3eb96d64\"><strong>Most Common at Age:<\/strong> 3 to 24 months<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bb92ef4cdad7cbec6ec6122aaa22dbd3\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Characteristics of Solitary Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7a63813a51cf6ab1ed82547fb714068a\">\n<li>Independent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highly focused<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experimental<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Often repetitive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unaware of or unresponsive to other children playing nearby<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-71cf509a7c675a0629137715c7c4a37a\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Early Examples <strong>of Solitary Play<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a49fe87685191f03bced15e3dff301b0\">\n<li>Stacking blocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Throwing items away over and over again<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shaking a rattle or squeezing a squeaky toy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Banging objects together or on a hard surface<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c50c26218d8b57a01c3a7cc7b5dacbb2\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Older Examples <strong>of Solitary Play<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-da6549b19e60b3b76f2432f6be03e0b5\">\n<li>Coloring or drawing by themselves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Looking through a book<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">Singing to themselves as they play with stuffed animals or dolls<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\"><strong>What Solitary Play Looks Like: <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1120\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Solitay-play-child-playing-with-toy-train.jpg\" alt=\"A young child playing with cars and blocks by himself in the middle of the floor. \" class=\"wp-image-66803\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Solitay-play-child-playing-with-toy-train.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Solitay-play-child-playing-with-toy-train-300x280.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Solitay-play-child-playing-with-toy-train-768x717.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"aofl-no-margin has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">This is the stage at which play becomes more recognizable to parents. <strong>Children start to interact with toys and other objects, often in a repetitive way.<\/strong> They become extremely focused and tend to ignore others around them, including other babies and even parents and caregivers. This is completely normal! <strong>Kids are now starting to develop concentration, imagination, and problem-solving skills.<\/strong> Solitary play at this age is vital to development, as children take their first independent forays into the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;background-color:#dee3ff7a;line-height:1.5\"><strong><strong>Note:<\/strong> <\/strong>Solitary play continues throughout childhood. Many kids are content when they\u2019re playing on their own at any age. But <strong>as children get older, they should combine independent play with more social forms of play<\/strong>. Even if they prefer to play by themselves, it&#8217;s important for them to develop the social skills needed to play and interact with others. However, some solitary play is perfectly fine at any age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:15px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ecddeae5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-04cd273bf4874aa5c9b231942b740017\"><strong>How Parents\/Teachers Can Support Solitary Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27bee957b31a1cb21cbaa7c9708a169b\"><strong>Be tolerant of noise and mess.<\/strong> Toddlers haven\u2019t mastered gross and fine motor skills yet, and they can\u2019t always control their movements or voices. When you can, let them play and express themselves freely. (This doesn\u2019t mean children don\u2019t need guidance and boundaries, even at this age. It just means knowing when it\u2019s worth reining in a child\u2019s behavior and when to just let them do their own thing.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dc40b69e6f9db065417800c4222fd48e\"><strong>Allow kids time to play on their own and in any way that they like as long as it\u2019s safe. <\/strong>Don\u2019t feel the need to step in and show them how something works\u2014let them experiment and figure it out on their own. Observe their play, rather than trying to direct it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" id=\"versus\" style=\"color:#033eaa;line-height:2\"><strong>What Is Onlooker Play?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#2D56BF;border-width:1px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b2aa1cc7c8ea2f8f09ad48187e732056\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Onlooker play<\/strong>, sometimes called spectator play, is a stage of development where a child watches others play but doesn\u2019t join in themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4a291e72a1541215b9c4d011abc1fe25\"><strong>Most Common at Age:<\/strong> 2 to 3 years<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e69f64e31d07957e7d337eab123785ed\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Characteristics of Onlooker Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5b075192d79da9bd03ec7e556eeeaebf\">\n<li>Closely watching other children or groups of children playing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Laughing, cheering, or otherwise responding to the action<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Asking questions or making comments to players or others nearby<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b28cd7263ee332a12ee57cbcac4a9718\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Examples of Onlooker Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-511b4514cc8a58ffb89eaa2b4d6cacb0\">\n<li>A toddler watches other kids playing tag, closely focused on the action<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Child asks a group of children playing with playdough, \u201cWhat are you making?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">A preschooler listens as a group nearby pretends to run a restaurant and laughs when one child pretends to serve \u201cmud soup\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\"><strong>What Onlooker Play Looks Like: <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border aofl-advice-image-video\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1183\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Onlooker-play-child-watching-others-play.jpg\" alt=\"A child watching other children playing on a swing set in an example of onlooker play. \" class=\"wp-image-66812\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Onlooker-play-child-watching-others-play.jpg 1183w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Onlooker-play-child-watching-others-play-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Onlooker-play-child-watching-others-play-768x526.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1183px) 100vw, 1183px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-no-margin has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Onlooker play is <strong>a transition stage between non-social and social play.<\/strong> Kids spend time watching others in their general age group, observing their actions but making no effort to join in. They might ask questions, laugh with or cheer for the players, or make comments to others about what\u2019s happening. For now, though, they\u2019re content to sit on the sidelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Parents may sometimes worry that onlooker play means their toddler is too shy to get involved, but that\u2019s usually not the case. Generally, kids are just subconsciously waiting until they feel confident that they understand the \u201crules.\u201d <strong>They learn so much through these observations, developing an awareness and understanding of how social groups function.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">As with solitary play, kids return to this stage from time to time as they get older. This can happen when they\u2019re meeting new groups of people, learning how a game or toy works, or just want to know more before deciding to join in. By the time your child reaches school age, they should spend less time in onlooker play and more in social forms of play instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:15px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ecddeae5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8f879ae66b7689598ab9fc1473183f4f\"><strong>How Parents\/Teachers Can Support Onlooker Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0e32f65f5a381c16e7b9e765e2f8c658\"><strong>Recognize that watching others is an important way to learn. <\/strong>Kids pick up many social-emotional skills simply by observing those behaviors in the people around them. Model good social behavior, and point it out when you see it too. \u201cLook at those kids sharing toys in the sandbox! That looks like fun.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-48454a8807124643dc37709b365f90d0\"><strong>Don\u2019t push your child to join in.<\/strong> Most kids will make their own moves toward social play when they\u2019re ready. Sit with them and watch, answering any questions or responding to comments. If they ask if they can join in, gently encourage them to ask, \u201cCan I play with you?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d0c26376d029aee8a567bdd4758a217e\"><strong>Know that even older kids engage in onlooker play from time to time<\/strong>, especially in new situations. For example, a fifth grader who\u2019s new at school might watch others playing soccer on the playground for a day or two before asking to join in. Give kids space to build comfort and confidence, and try not to step in unless it\u2019s truly needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" id=\"versus\" style=\"color:#033eaa;line-height:2\"><strong>What Is Parallel Play?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#2D56BF;border-width:1px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5fdd3bf484ee6c5bd00342a776f2377f\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Parallel play<\/strong> is a developmental stage where toddlers play next to one another, often doing similar activities or using the same toys, but without interacting or influencing each other\u2019s play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4a291e72a1541215b9c4d011abc1fe25\"><strong>Most Common at Age:<\/strong> 2 to 3 years<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4b1073817fff115d1ba59606bec4dfed\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Characteristics of Parallel Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c2e3d6212d44bd940139a9d95c296bab\">\n<li>Independent but not solitary<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Little or no interaction between children<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimal sharing or cooperation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Comfortable with other kids playing nearby<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some observation and imitation of others<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4d5b66595efa0c7acd1a90d194061841\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Examples of Parallel Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d24606b549e6ea1b678bd410240cff04\">\n<li>Four kids finger painting at the same table, but each is only focused on the pictures they\u2019re making. They don\u2019t talk to each other about their work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Two children playing in the sandbox, digging their own holes and making their own structures. One quietly watches the other fill a pail with sand and dump it over to make a tower, then does the same themselves, but doesn\u2019t say anything to the other child.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Three kids play in the same room. One sings quietly to themself as they put together a puzzle, one builds structures out of LEGO\u00ae bricks, and the third draws pictures with crayons. A fourth child comes in, sits down nearby, and begins to look through a picture book, comfortable with the presence of the other kids.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\"><strong>What Parallel Looks Like: <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"826\" height=\"812\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/parallel-play-kids-playing-near-each-other-e1753385589583.jpg\" alt=\"Two young girls playing with clay side by side in parallel play. \" class=\"wp-image-66817\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/parallel-play-kids-playing-near-each-other-e1753385589583.jpg 826w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/parallel-play-kids-playing-near-each-other-e1753385589583-300x295.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/parallel-play-kids-playing-near-each-other-e1753385589583-768x755.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 826px) 100vw, 826px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"aofl-no-margin has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);line-height:1.5\">Parallel play is another transition stage, but this stage has a more actively social aspect. <strong>In parallel play, kids play side-by-side with the same toys or activities, but don\u2019t directly interact with one another.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-no-margin has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);line-height:1.5\">Sometimes they watch each other or imitate what they see, but they\u2019re still more focused on their own play. Parallel play is an important bridge between solitary and social play.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Walk into an early preschool classroom, and you\u2019re likely to see a lot of parallel play. Three kids might be playing with blocks, but they\u2019re all building their own structures. They\u2019re more likely to talk to themselves than with others, or just play quietly. It may seem like solitary play, but these children are actually developing important social skills. They\u2019re becoming comfortable around others and learning new ideas by watching and imitating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">The more a child engages in side-by-side play, the more they learn to tolerate the presence of others. Parallel play actually helps them fine-tune their concentration, since they may need to tune out other actions and noises while they play. It also develops their spatial awareness, giving them the ability to move around in crowded spaces without running into each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Older kids may participate in parallel play too. A new kid on the playground might watch others kicking a ball around, then start kicking around another ball on their own nearby. It\u2019s a subtle way to express interest in more social play before taking more deliberate steps to join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:15px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ecddeae5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9399f1e056b064793cff2676922be5ea\"><strong>How Parents\/Teachers Can Support Parallel Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dde0ce51c7827a5d895bcf54f683840d\"><strong>At younger ages, playgroups are often all about parallel play.<\/strong> It may seem like there\u2019s no point in getting kids together just so they can play on their own, but it\u2019s actually a valuable experience. Children must become comfortable with having others nearby, especially those their own age. Start playgroups early to encourage your child to tolerate social situations, even if they don\u2019t interact.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21bb9093302ddde270cd23f93c055b16\"><strong>In groups, provide multiple versions of the same toys so kids can play side-by-side.<\/strong> For instance, have several sets of crayons and coloring books, more than one puzzle, or separate bins of building blocks kids can use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3fa97c150a49d757155a2febd27052d0\"><strong>Provide plenty of space for kids to play near each other without crowding each other out.<\/strong> When kids play more active games, help them learn how to move around a space while being aware of others. \u201cYour jumping game looks like fun! Why don\u2019t you move over here a bit so you don\u2019t run into Olivia and her block towers?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" id=\"versus\" style=\"color:#033eaa;line-height:2\"><strong>What Is Associative Play?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#2D56BF;border-width:1px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c802f61b848f62ef135a809884893a30\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Associative play<\/strong> is a stage of social development where children play near each other, interact, and share materials, but their play isn\u2019t coordinated around a shared goal or structured activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6ce85c70e0506a2f1d88645c79496b46\"><strong>Most Common at Age:<\/strong> 3 to 4 years<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-baf244229e5d12aa0eca0d2b94be0b58\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Characteristics of Associative Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1a4ecf4f75ffe734920ccd041bdd3843\">\n<li>Shared materials or toys, but separate goals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased interaction and conversation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Play is usually unstructured<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Often includes preferred playmates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kids begin to share and resolve conflicts as they play<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0901981e0482c61ef50ce5f839fc91aa\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Examples of Associative Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a0d9f856a11775f463c78c8431dadd29\">\n<li>Two kids share a set of building blocks, chatting while they work, but each still building their own structures. From time to time, they comment on what the other has built.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Four children coloring pictures talk to each other about what they\u2019ve created, sharing the contents of a crayon box and asking each other for the colors they want. When two kids both want to use the red crayon at the same time, they eventually figure out that they need to take turns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">One child shows another how to throw sticky balls at a target, offering tips for getting closer to the center. They take turns, but don\u2019t keep score or compete in any way, just enjoying each other\u2019s company and the challenge of the game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\"><strong>What Associative Play Looks Like: <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/associative-play-kids-plpaying-with-blocks.jpg\" alt=\"Children and teacher stacking colorful blocks together on a table in associative play. \" class=\"wp-image-66823\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/associative-play-kids-plpaying-with-blocks.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/associative-play-kids-plpaying-with-blocks-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/associative-play-kids-plpaying-with-blocks-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"aofl-no-margin has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">This is <strong>the first stage where kids truly begin to regularly interact while they play<\/strong>. Kids talk, share toys, and demonstrate and imitate activities and games. However, at this stage, children don\u2019t fully organize or collaborate during play\u2014in other words, they don\u2019t have a clearly defined shared goal. It\u2019s essentially parallel play, but with interaction between kids.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Older preschool classrooms host a lot of associative play. This is a huge social leap for early childhood development\u2014showing an interest in what others are doing and joining in the activity in their own way. <strong>To reach this stage, kids need language and communication skills, social awareness, cooperative skills, some degree of empathy and self-control, and tolerance for those different from themselves.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Older children return to associative play from time to time, especially in creative endeavors. For instance, fourth grade students might share a box of art supplies, but each make individual creations. They talk and laugh while they work, sharing ideas but ultimately focused on their own work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:15px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ecddeae5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c7def728a55b94236dc7e9a868d64858\"><strong>How Parents\/Teachers Can Support Associative Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f281ba4d315d9e2fdf9c7b50e0d80bb1\"><strong>Allow time for free play without restrictive rules or structure. <\/strong>Provide open-ended toys that encourage use by multiple children at once, such as building blocks or art supplies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a65a8439b98c3217df6cacc8d935f574\"><strong>Encourage conversation as kids play.<\/strong> \u201cEmmet, your tower is so tall! Can you tell Liam how you did that?\u201d or \u201cYou\u2019re doing a great job of sharing the kitchen toys! What are you both making?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3570f55fa285989ab7df429ec7d5021c\"><strong>Model social skills and awareness.<\/strong> \u201cTaylor, you\u2019re taking up a lot of space on the table, and Ashton doesn\u2019t have much room. Could you move over a bit and try to keep your painting supplies on your side of the table, please?\u2019\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-377599251049d97b20d3fe75687805c3\"><strong>Teach conflict resolution skills.<\/strong> As kids learn to share and play together, conflict is inevitable, and adults must demonstrate and model the right behaviors. \u201cJaxon, you grabbed the green crayon even though you knew Emma was using it. Remember to ask first: \u2018Emma, are you done with the green crayon? Can I use it now, please?\u2019\u201d or \u201cCharlotte, you and Noah can\u2019t both use the swing at the same time. What can you do while you wait for him to finish his turn? Noah, remember that Charlotte is waiting for the swing, so you get two more minutes, then it\u2019s her turn.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-698f8919c42e939d754741972e414d83\"><strong>Occasionally nudge kids into true cooperative play, but don\u2019t insist on it.<\/strong> \u201cI love the buildings you\u2019re each making! What if you worked together to build a whole town?\u201d or \u201cMorgan, it looks like Lin wants to kick the soccer ball around too. Could you two try playing with it together?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" id=\"versus\" style=\"color:#033eaa;line-height:2\"><strong>What Is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/advice\/cooperative-play\/68060\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Cooperative Play<\/a>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#2D56BF;border-width:1px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e45b518e81f72fe0f4060e8ecfc5f704\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Cooperative play<\/strong> happens when children work together toward a common goal, using communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to complete a shared task or activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4b1319d809c9780a87aad03628058377\"><strong>Most Common at Age:<\/strong> 4 to 5 years and up<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e8f558254bce551a3b71987bc08e1d04\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Characteristics of Cooperative Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26a6acb653ea63b17ca0b92c62b8948a\">\n<li>Shared materials and goals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Players have different assigned goals in the game<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Players agree on the rules up front or develop them throughout<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regular communication amongst players<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More autonomous conflict resolution and compromise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Longer play sessions that often involve creativity and imagination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cd4928c3b031efde9e8304f3b098dfa4\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Examples of <strong>Cooperative<\/strong><\/strong> <strong>Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86d8f7bdf6245665e1c63d9d77a3ac88\">\n<li>Four children play \u201cHouse\u201d together. One is the mom, one is the grandma, and two are the kids. They invent and role play domestic scenarios together.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Two children create a new ball game together involving bouncing a ball off the wall and ground, with complex rules and scoring. When other kids come along, they invite them to join in, explaining the rules of the game.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">Three children work together to put together a jigsaw puzzle. They agree on a plan (\u201cFirst we\u2019ll do the edges, then work on the middle\u201d) and assign roles (\u201cKatelyn, you work on the pink pieces of the house, and I\u2019ll try to put together the sky.\u201d) They chat while they work, sometimes about the puzzle and sometimes about other topics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:0\"><strong>What Cooperative Play Looks Like: <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"941\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cooperative-play-kids-chaing-ball.jpg\" alt=\"Children playing in a field kicking a ball together. \" class=\"wp-image-66827\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cooperative-play-kids-chaing-ball.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cooperative-play-kids-chaing-ball-300x235.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cooperative-play-kids-chaing-ball-768x602.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"aofl-no-margin has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);line-height:1.5\">This is <strong>the final and most social of the 6 stages of play. <\/strong>Children collaborate as they play, sharing the same materials or toys, following the same set of rules, and working together for a common purpose. They communicate often, verbally and nonverbally, usually to specifically advance the game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">For older children (post-preschool), this is the most common form of social play. Their games and play activities last longer, are more complex, and may involve larger numbers of participants. Kids develop more social awareness, understanding what\u2019s expected of them and what to expect of others. They tend to resolve conflicts on their own when they can, and while they may invite adults to play, those adults must follow the \u201crules\u201d developed by the children. For example, in a game of The Floor is Lava, a child might say, \u201cNo, you can\u2019t walk there! That part of the floor is hot lava!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">The benefits of cooperative play are numerous and well-established. Children develop social skills through all the stages of play, but <strong>this is the stage where they truly need strong social skills to succeed and thrive as part of the group<\/strong>. They\u2019re learning by experience and nearly all will hit rough patches from time to time. Learn much more about the benefits, challenges, and importance of cooperative play here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:15px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ecddeae5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-67635a9984c0e6fbfcdb41ee8311c4fc\"><strong>How Parents\/Teachers Can Support <strong>Cooperative<\/strong> Play:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cdeb99a1d58c88871a921c8641ed153e\"><strong>Provide big open play spaces and materials to spark imagination<\/strong> (dress-up clothes, building toys, toy food and kitchen utensils, loose parts boxes, etc.). You can also offer prompts to get them started: \u201cLet\u2019s pretend this jungle gym is a tree in the actual jungle!\u201d or \u201cWhat if you built a model of our town?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1cfe9943593e12edec2d6a18e4583443\"><strong>Allow kids to develop their own games and play activities.<\/strong> Give them room to create their own rules, asking questions to guide only if needed: \u201cHow will you decide the winner?\u201d or \u201cWhat do you think you should do first?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-57c0baf129d009d0280b87ce32d89fc2\"><strong>Encourage social awareness and model good behavior. <\/strong>\u201cAmelia, I don\u2019t think Sarah has a job in your store yet. Why don\u2019t you ask her what she\u2019d like to do?\u201d or \u201cYour game of Aliens and Puppies Freeze Tag looks so fun! But you keep running into the area where Quinn, Parker, and Riley are playing airport. Can you move a little further down the playground and give them some room?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9bd3d98cc7a20ff0f6b10e7568914165\"><strong>Give kids time to resolve conflicts independently before stepping in. <\/strong>Then, guide them toward the right behavior. \u201cLooks like Lane and Allie both want to be the leader. Can you take turns, or share the leader role?\u201d or \u201cYou all agreed on the rules up front, but this particular rule seems to be causing a lot of arguments. Do you think you should consider changing it?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1b6bf26df03fce6bdaef19e1caa8d006\"><strong>Recognize good collaboration and teamwork when you see it.<\/strong> \u201cWay to go! You managed to get every member of your team through the obstacle course by helping each other! I\u2019m so impressed!\u201d or \u201cAlex, I really liked the way you found a way for Miguel to join in your game halfway through. He really wanted to play, and you all had so much fun together.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading aofl-advice-subheading anchor-link-with-margin has-text-color\" id=\"other-play\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Other Types of Play<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">While Parten\u2019s 6 stages describe the social aspects of play, there are many other terms that child development experts use to describe the way kids play. Experts have determined that there are 12 to 16 ways that children play. Here are a few you may hear as a parent or teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-799adb9ca1a7f9cc0170ba39b837f091\"><strong>Other Ways Children Play<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27a967a7eccbbda0bfac16f9b02f8827\">\n<li>Attunement play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Constructive play<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-346aa56d127b6be993cb8b86d0c8fcfb\">\n<li>Imaginative or pretend play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Functional play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Symbolic play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expressive or creative play<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-background\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">Attunement Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\">Attunement play is one of the earliest forms of interaction between an infant and caregiver, laying the foundation for emotional connection. This type of play fosters trust, empathy, and emotional regulation, supporting healthy social and emotional development.&nbsp;It includes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e4f0675a04acfb67a9cd7702636858c5\">\n<li>shared eye contact<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>smiles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>facial expressions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>responding to one another\u2019s coos, babbles, and gestures<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">These \u201cserve and return\u201d exchanges\u2014where the baby initiates with a sound or movement and the adult responds with attention, smiles, or soothing touch\u2014help build secure attachment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-text-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Example: <\/strong>A father and baby make silly faces at each other, laughing as they do; a baby points to a toy and a caregiver brings it over, making it dance for the baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-background\">Physical Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Physical play uses the body in active ways. Babies engage in this type of play from a young age, though it advances when kids can walk on their own.&nbsp;It helps to<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cc0928005c251a9c55c2f24e9ed04d7b\">build strength and improve overall physical health<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-692e2797763318caa40c405df0d81b98\">develop gross and fine motor skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-text-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Example: <\/strong>Running, jumping rope, riding a tricycle or bicycle, dancing, skipping, playing a sport<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-background\">Social Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Social play is any form of play where kids interact and talk with each other as they play together or near each other. This can involve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9e0a6825a1665de36cfbc56eb5bf7fa0\">\n<li>interaction related to the activity or game they&#8217;re enjoying<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>conversing while playing side-by-side<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-text-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Example: <\/strong>&nbsp;Team sports, parallel play, associative play, cooperative play, board games, imaginative games<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-background\">Constructive Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">In constructive play, participants build or create something with a specific purpose. They may<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-42646d36eb9886ca65aa50efffdbfedb\">\n<li>play collaboratively in a group<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>play with one other child to build something<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>play individually to make something on their own<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-text-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Example: <\/strong>Working together to put together a puzzle, creating a large mural, building a city from blocks, writing and acting out a skit or play<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-background\">Imaginative Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Imaginative play, or pretend play, occurs when kids use their imagination heavily in an activity or game. They may<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0f087333fb3fed7f1f613baa27a9cb12\">\n<li> make up stories to share with each other<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>act out themselves or with toys<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>invent entire new worlds with characters and storylines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-text-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Example: <\/strong>&nbsp;Playing house, school, or hospital; dressing up in play clothes; having a stuffed animal tea party; pretending to be a superhero<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-background\">Functional Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">In functional play, children are learning how something works, with the essential question of, \u201cWhat happens if I do this?\u201d Here are few characteristics of this type of play:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3f52b2b50cb37faf66066d4b801f004b\">\n<li>It often includes repetitive actions <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&#8217;s especially common with very young children<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kids of any age engage in functional play when they encounter something new<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-text-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Example: <\/strong>Throwing a ball in different ways to see how high it bounces, pushing all the buttons on a toy in turn or at once, stacking objects until they fall over<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-background\">Symbolic Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">This form of imaginative play turns objects or actions into whatever kids want or need them to be. For example, a red block becomes an apple for their game of grocery store or a large box becomes a space ship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c689a1520afc9c426d13c7e4b8c3e125\">\n<li>Children use symbolic play more when they have fewer structured toys at hand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Symbolic play helps develop stronger creativity and problem-solving skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Requires imaginative and abstract thinking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-text-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Example: <\/strong>&nbsp;A stick becomes a magic wand, a box is a castle on Mars, a blanket is a magic cape, a wooden spoon is a telephone<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-frosted-sky-background-color has-background\">Expressive or Creative Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\">In this type of play, children share their thoughts, feelings, and creativity through their activities. It includes <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a7cb5fbdfaa005c9a5155e2803f82ac2\">\n<li>Creative and joyful activities like singing, dancing, drawing, or writing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It can also be a way to express negative thoughts or feelings: \u201cI\u2019m coloring black rain clouds because I\u2019m angry.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-pull-quote-option2 has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-text-color\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:15px;color:#01075f;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);line-height:1.5\"><strong>Example: <\/strong>Singing out loud to themselves or an audience, drawing pictures to share with others, writing poems when they\u2019re sad, or putting on a puppet show<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-image u-m-hide\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/abc\/prospect-register\/?src_tag=wp:cta:0015\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"924\" height=\"501\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Learning-Made-Easy-CTA-Mobile.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-89753\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Learning-Made-Easy-CTA-Mobile.png 924w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Learning-Made-Easy-CTA-Mobile-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Learning-Made-Easy-CTA-Mobile-768x416.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 924px) 100vw, 924px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image u-d-hide aofl-mb-3rem-margin \">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/abc\/prospect-register\/?src_tag=wp:cta:0026\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"393\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Learning-Made-Easy-CTA-Desktop.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-89754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Learning-Made-Easy-CTA-Desktop.png 393w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Learning-Made-Easy-CTA-Desktop-211x300.png 211w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 393px) 100vw, 393px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading aofl-advice-subheading anchor-link-with-margin has-text-color\" id=\"support\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">How to Support Healthy Play at Every Stage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">No matter what stages of play your child currently participates in, these simple tips help ensure they\u2019re safe, supported, and challenged in age-appropriate ways.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-royal-depths-border-color has-ivory-lace-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-radius:15px\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-610232a8227afc188a535bae7cee6abc\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><strong>Support healthy play by<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-01f10dfe83eb1f363fb7b093d6942d44\">\n<li>Creating safe and open places to play.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Making time for unstructured play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respecting all stages of play<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Following children&#8217;s lead when playing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Joining in play when invited<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gently encouraging children onto the next stage of play<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Create Safe and Open Play Spaces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Kids need room to move! It\u2019s better to have fewer toys and structures and more open space for them to use in any way they like. When you invite kids over for a playgroup or playdate, narrow down the toys they have to play with, or choose a space where they\u2019re free to move around and play as the spirit takes them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Make Time for Unstructured Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">As kids get older, you\u2019re likely to start filling their schedule with lessons, sports, and other structured activities. Be sure you build in time for unstructured play, too! Tip: If your child finds themselves with an afternoon of free time and has no idea what to do with it, they\u2019re probably not getting enough unstructured play time on a regular basis. Offer some suggestions, like \u201cLet\u2019s build a fort!\u201d or \u201cHow about creating a village in the sandbox for your toy people?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Respect All Stages of Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">As kids get older, you\u2019re likely to start filling their schedule with lessons, sports, and other structured activities. Be sure you build in time for unstructured play, too! Tip: If your child finds themselves with an afternoon of free time and has no idea what to do with it, they\u2019re probably not getting enough unstructured play time on a regular basis. Offer some suggestions, like \u201cLet\u2019s build a fort!\u201d or \u201cHow about creating a village in the sandbox for your toy people?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Don\u2019t Over-Direct Play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Instead of, \u201cHere, let me show you how to put those blocks together,\u201d say, \u201cWhat do you think we can build with these blocks?\u201d Resist the urge to jump in and show them how to do everything \u201cthe right way,\u201d and don\u2019t get angry if they play games by different rules. Accept their lead and follow it, or simply step back and observe what they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Join In When Invited<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Those moments when a child actively wants to spend time with you go by faster than you think. Join in enthusiastically, praise their creativity, and let them show you new ways to have fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Gently Encourage Children to Move to the Next Stage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">The key here is <em>gently<\/em>\u2014and only when it\u2019s age- or developmentally-appropriate. The best way to do this is by modeling behavior. \u201cLet\u2019s ask those kids if we can play tag, too,\u201d or \u201cCan Maria share your crayons and draw her own picture?\u201d Do not force your child to move on. If you\u2019re worried that they aren\u2019t progressing through the social stages of play as they should, talk to your child\u2019s teacher or pediatrician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading aofl-advice-subheading anchor-link-with-margin has-text-color\" id=\"cognitive-benefits\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Why These Stages Matter for Learning and Development<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sight-word-activities-playdough-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43224\" style=\"border-radius:15px;width:444px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sight-word-activities-playdough-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sight-word-activities-playdough-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sight-word-activities-playdough-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sight-word-activities-playdough-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/sight-word-activities-playdough-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Child development experts now consider play so essential that Unicef\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unicef.org\/child-rights-convention\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Convention on the Rights of the Child<\/a> includes it as article 31: \u201cThat every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"aofl-mb-3rem-margin aofl-desktop-margin has-border-color has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#2D56BF;border-width:1px;border-radius:15px;background-color:#fffeede0;line-height:1.5\">An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/profile\/Martina-Kuvalja\/publication\/340137325_The_importance_of_play_A_report_on_the_value_of_children's_play_with_a_series_of_policy_recommendations\/links\/5e7b34f9299bf1f3873ffb32\/The-importance-of-play-A-report-on-the-value-of-childrens-play-with-a-series-of-policy-recommendations.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">April 2012 report on The Importance of Play<\/a> states: \u201cThe evolutionary and psychological evidence points to the crucial contribution of play in humans to our success as a highly adaptable species. Playfulness is strongly related to cognitive development and emotional well-being.\u201d The report also noted that play has an important role in language development, self-regulation, and metacognition (learning how to learn).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#01075f;line-height:1.5\">Perhaps Fred Rogers, beloved television host of the show <em>Mr. Rogers\u2019 Neighborhood<\/em>, summed it up best: \u201cPlay is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pghtoys.org\/why-play-matters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">he wrote<\/a>. \u201cBut for children, play is serious learning. At various times, play is a way to cope with life and to prepare for adulthood. Playing is a way to solve problems and to express feelings. In fact, play is the real work of childhood.\u201d Decades of research all point to the same conclusion: all stages of play matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/abc\/subscription\/?src_tag=wp:cta:0011\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"924\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Over-1-Milion-Reviews-CTA-Desktop.png\" alt=\"ABCmouse banner: left cartoon mouse, blue background, 'Over 1,000,000 Reviews (Average)' with red 'Try FREE for 30 Days!' button\" class=\"wp-image-97431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Over-1-Milion-Reviews-CTA-Desktop.png 924w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Over-1-Milion-Reviews-CTA-Desktop-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ABCmouse-Over-1-Milion-Reviews-CTA-Desktop-768x465.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 924px) 100vw, 924px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading aofl-advice-subheading anchor-link-with-margin has-text-color\" id=\"faq\" style=\"color:#033eaa;font-style:normal;font-weight:600\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>Stages of Play FAQ<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\"><strong>What are the 6 stages of play development?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-09d0487f5971e15bf1fec7a432d7a74d\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">The 6 stages of play include unoccupied, solitary, onlooker, parallel, associative, and cooperative play and are based on the research of sociologist Mildred Parten. Parten developed her theory of the six stages of play based on her 1929 doctoral dissertation, which was published in&nbsp;1932&nbsp;and identified six stages of play based on her observations of preschool children aged 2 to 5. She grouped these into non-social and social categories, noting that children typically move through them as they develop, though not in a fixed order. The stages remain widely recognized today, with age ranges serving as flexible guidelines rather than rigid benchmarks.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\"><strong><strong>What\u2019s the difference between solitary play and parallel play?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a1c5b32a6e97aa9855c03355dc048645\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">In solitary play, children play independently and alone. They are completely focused on their own activity or game and may not even realize others are there. In parallel play, kids play side-by-side with each other. They still focus on their own play and don\u2019t communicate much with those nearby. However, they are aware of other children and may occasionally watch and imitate what they do. Parallel play is important because it helps children develop social awareness and become comfortable in social environments.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>When do kids start playing together?<\/strong><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b3b9ea18a780854889f361f0e1c18416\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">Around the age of three, children begin associative play, sharing toys and play spaces but without any structure or shared goals. They begin learning how to share and compromise, making room for others to play while still staking out space for themselves. At the same time, they may engage in onlooker play, watching other children or groups closely to learn more about what they\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c9310b5ae0c23085e9944f42f9e795a7\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">By age four or five, most children begin to join in cooperative play. They\u2019ve developed enough social awareness and emotional intelligence to learn and follow the rules, take turns, and navigate conflict. Adults offer guidance, but children begin to play more and more independently as they get older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0bfbfac1c43198f1d55088a55c87e455\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">Remember that ages are only guidelines when it comes to the stages of play. Kids move back and forth freely between stages. If you\u2019re concerned that your child hasn\u2019t begun playing cooperatively with other children by the time they reach school age, talk to your child\u2019s pediatrician or teachers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\"><strong><strong>How can I encourage my child to move to the next stage of play?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5a28c596e07b922294bfc3f3aeca5fe2\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">Model the behaviors you\u2019d like your child to try. You might say, \u201cYour blocks look like a lot of fun! Do you mind if we sit down and play with them too?\u201d This could encourage a child to begin exploring parallel or even associative play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-db734b41bf7669311d9b711d277c2070\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">Don\u2019t push your child to advance if they\u2019re not ready. Some kids need to spend more time as onlookers before they\u2019re confident enough to join in. If you feel like your child needs a nudge, though, it\u2019s okay to ask, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you ask if you can play catch too? Do you want me to come with you when you go talk to them? If not, I\u2019ll be right here if you need me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\"><strong><strong><strong><strong><strong>How do I know if my child\u2019s play is age-appropriate?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72feedeecd30e7d8c61780195d71cf06\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">You can use the ages listed here as very general guidelines, but remember that children move back and forth through the six stages at their own pace. If you\u2019re concerned your child isn\u2019t showing any of the behaviors usually associated with their age, talk to a professional like your pediatrician. It could indicate a delay in social development, which can often be helped through therapy or other interventions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-midnight-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ae64b0b37c05d74ee1411fc87b416181\" style=\"font-size:12px\"><em><strong><em>Legal disclaimer:<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;Any information, materials, or links to third-party resources are provided for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with and do not sponsor\/endorse these third parties and bear no responsibility for the accuracy of content on any external site. All information provided in this article is current as of May 2025.&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-dd225191 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<printables-email-registration style=\"width:fit-content;display:flex;margin:auto\" class=\"wp-block-abcmouse-printables-email-registration\"><\/printables-email-registration>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore each stage of play from unoccupied to cooperative, with age guidelines, examples, and tips to support your child\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":66780,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[14,13,131,177],"class_list":["post-66402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","tag-kindergarten","tag-preschool","tag-toddler","tag-types-of-play"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66402"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70554,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66402\/revisions\/70554"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}