Forms of Play
As children grow, so do their styles of play.
Kids’ play styles change as they grow:
Solitary Play: This type of play is commonly seen in babies. They tend to play on their own, exploring anything and everything they can get their hands on, including their own body parts! You might see a baby get great giggles out of grabbing his foot or putting his hand in his mouth! While babies may play simple games like peek-a-boo with grown-ups, they don’t yet have the social skills or focus to play directly with other children and babies.
Parallel Play: As kids get a bit older (ages 2–3), they become interested in being around their peers. However, they haven’t yet honed the important social skills of sharing and turn taking that are necessary to play directly with others. At this age, kids are likely to play in parallel (side by side), with separate toys or objects. Even though kids playing in parallel may not interact, you might notice them observing one another and mimicking ways in which the other is playing.
Group Play: By the time kids enter school, they often play together in groups. You might see them sharing and taking turns playing with the same toys, doing dramatic or pretend play around a theme, or playing group games like duck, duck, goose or hide-and-seek. Playing together in groups can help kids improve their social and cognitive skills as they plan out play scenarios, switch roles, and solve problems together creatively.
6 Ways to Practice Nurturing Parenting
Tips from a pediatrician on understanding, empathizing with, encouraging, and positively guiding children.
For Providers: Using These Resources
Print and refer to this page as you implement the materials in this initiative.
Toddler Tips: Meltdowns
Strategies for during and after a meltdown…and even some ways meltdowns might be avoided.
Parenting Moment: Describing
The way you talk with children matters! Your words have power.
Milestones: Your Five-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
Milestones: Your Four-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
Milestones: Your Six-Year-Old
All children grow and develop at their own pace; use this chart to guide your expectations and observations so you can talk to your child’s pediatrician about questions or concerns.
