Parallel play is a form of play in which people play adjacent to each other, but do not try to influence one another's behavior.
What is parallel play in adult terms?
Ever find yourself plopped on the couch and scrolling social media while you're sitting next to your partner who is watching TV? That's parallel play—a way to feel together even when you are having separate experiences. Parallel play for adults can also look like: Reading different books next to each other in bed.
Some experts believe that the term parallel play can also be an important part of mature adult relationships. Like children in parallel play, adults can be curious about the world and want to explore more when and if they feel safe in their relationship.
At what age does parallel play typically occur?
Between 2 and 3 years old. Parallel play is when children play next to each other, but do not interact. This is a normal part of the learning to play process. This usually happens between 2 and 3 years old.
For 2-3 years old toys, we recomended montessori toys for 2 years old and montessori toys for 3 years old.
Benefits of Parallel Play
Enhances Social Awareness: Parallel play allows children to observe their peers’ actions and social cues, helping them develop an understanding of group dynamics and social norms, even without direct interaction.
Boosts Language Development: By listening to ambient conversations and observing how others use language, children pick up new vocabulary, sentence structures, and communication styles, laying a foundation for verbal skills.
Improves Motor Skills: Engaging with toys and materials alongside others helps refine both gross motor skills (e.g., stacking blocks) and fine motor skills (e.g., manipulating small objects), as children mimic observed actions.
Fosters Emotional Growth: Watching peers’ emotional responses (e.g., excitement or frustration) introduces children to empathy and cause-and-effect relationships, such as sharing in another’s joy or upset.
Encourages Independence and Confidence: Playing alongside others without needing to collaborate allows children to explore at their own pace, building self-reliance and confidence in their abilities.
Develops Problem-Solving Skills: As children experiment with toys or activities independently but near peers, they encounter challenges (e.g., fitting puzzle pieces) and learn to devise solutions through trial and error.
Prepares for Future Social Interaction: This stage serves as a bridge to more interactive play, helping children become comfortable with proximity to others and gradually building the skills needed for cooperative play.
Promotes Creativity: Observing different play styles inspires children to explore new ways of using materials, fostering imaginative thinking and creative expression.
These benefits highlight why parallel play, typically observed in children aged 18 months to 3 years, is considered a vital developmental phase. It provides a safe space for children to grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively while preparing them for more complex interactions later in life.
Parallel play vs associative play
Parallel play and associative play are two distinct stages of social play in child development, each with unique characteristics and benefits. Below is a concise comparison to help clarify the differences.
Parallel Play
Age Range: Typically occurs between 18 months and 3 years.
Definition: Children play side by side with similar toys or activities but do not actively interact or collaborate. They may observe each other but focus on their own play.
Key Features:
- Independent play with occasional imitation.
- Limited sharing or communication (e.g., a child might use blocks near another child without talking).
- Emphasis on self-directed exploration.
Example: Two toddlers sitting together, each stacking their own set of blocks without exchanging or working together.
Associative Play
Age Range: Usually emerges around 3 to 4 years.
Definition: Children begin to interact more with peers, sharing toys and engaging in loosely organized play, though there’s no formal structure or shared goal.
Key Features:
- Increased communication and sharing (e.g., trading toys or discussing play ideas).
- Play is more social but lacks a coordinated plan (e.g., kids building separate parts of a structure without a unified design).
- Focus shifts toward social engagement while still being somewhat independent.
Example: A group of preschoolers playing with a toy kitchen, where one “cooks” while another “serves,” with some conversation but no set roles.
The example of parallel play
An example of parallel play could involve two toddlers sitting side by side, each shaping their own playdough creations. They won’t exchange words or share their materials, though their sculptures might resemble each other due to mutual observation. Their attention remains on their individual tasks, with occasional glances at what others are doing, often leading to imitation.
Another instance might be young children using the same set of building blocks. Each child selects a few pieces and constructs their own structure independently, showing little interest in collaborating with peers. Since their social skills are still emerging, working together isn’t yet feasible, and they’re more captivated by the toys themselves than by their playmates.
Conclusion
As parents, you just try to spend more time stay with your children together. You do not need to focus on if they are in parallel play or association play. In our store we have lots of montessori toys for 18 months to 3 years old children. We are happy to share more information in children's growing up.
