What type of play do toddlers typically engage in?

Toddlers typically engage in parallel play, which is characterized by children playing next to each other while independently engaging in their own activities. In this stage of development, toddlers are not yet fully capable of cooperative play, where they would actively work together toward a common goal or share the same activity. Instead, they often observe one another and may imitate each other’s actions, but their interaction is limited and does not involve collaboration.

This type of play is crucial as it helps toddlers develop social skills, such as the understanding of being near other children and the beginnings of social interaction without direct engagement. Through parallel play, toddlers learn to express themselves, explore their environments, and become aware of their peers, which are foundational skills for later social interactions.