If you’ve ever been curious about whether your child is playing normally, you are not alone. The six stages of play can help you understand how children’s social interactions develop through play.
With constant pressure to meet developmental milestones, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Play looks different from one child to the next, but each stage brings new opportunities for growth and learning. Understanding the six stages of play can help you know what to expect and how you can support them along the way,
|
Stage |
Approximate Age |
What It May Look Like |
|
Unoccupied play |
Birth to 3 months |
Moving, looking, observing, discovering their body |
|
Solitary play |
3 months to 2 years |
Playing independently |
|
Onlooker play |
Around 2 years |
Watching others play |
|
Parallel play |
2 to 3 years |
Playing beside other children |
|
Associative play |
3 to 4 years |
Interacting and sharing materials without a shared goal |
|
Cooperative play |
4+ years |
Playing together toward shared goals |
Why Is Play Important for Child Development?
Childhood play is more than just having fun with toys and sometimes making a mess. Babies and young children develop core skills through play, from building physical strength to supporting brain development and emotional well-being. During play, children practice problem-solving, creativity, and communication while learning how to resolve conflicts and regulate their emotions. Play also gives children the opportunity to try new things, use their imagination, and eventually collaborate with others towards a shared purpose.
Learn more about baby milestones at every stage of development in our blog on 0-12 month milestones.
The 6 Stages of Play Development
After years of studying the free play behaviors of infants and young children, Mildred Parten developed her theory of play in 1929. Often referred to simply as Parten's play, it outlines six stages of play ranging from unoccupied play in the first three months all the way to cooperative play at four years old. Nearly one hundred years later, her original research, "Social Participation Among Pre-School Children" (Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1932), remains a foundational reference in developmental psychology. Let's take a look at each stage in detail, including some activities you may notice in each phase.
1. Unoccupied Play (Birth–3 Months)
In their first three months of life, newborns are using every waking moment to explore the world around them. This stage is known as unoccupied play, and involves looking at people and objects in their vicinity, turning towards sounds, and discovering their bodies by kicking their legs and moving their arms. Place the baby in a safe and comfortable resting space like the Cozy Cabana or Playtime Lounger so they can simply notice and learn.
2. Solitary Play (3 Months–2 Years)
From three months up to around two years old, the child enters the second developmental play stage known as solitary play. As the name suggests, solitary play is when young children begin to entertain themselves and play independently. Other babies, children, and caregivers may be nearby, but the child is playing and exploring their surroundings on their own. This may look like taking toys out of a basket, stacking blocks, playing with the Learn & Grow™ Garden crinkly seed packets, or simply shaking a rattle.
3. Onlooker Play (Around 2 Years)
At the two year mark, children start to transition to one of the play stages known as onlooker play, where they observe play happening around them but do not engage directly. While it may seem insignificant, watching others play and interact is critical for your child’s development and social skills. During this developmental stage of play, you may notice your child sitting back in their floor seat, observing, asking questions, and even clapping in response to other children.
4. Parallel Play (2–3 Years)
Once your toddler begins playing side-by-side with other children, they have entered parallel play. This developmental level of play is the last one before true interactive play begins, and is important in helping develop social, cognitive, and motor skills. In parallel play, you will notice children maintaining separate activities like playing with different toys in a sandbox, drawing next to one another, or playing on a play mat with wooden blocks next to each other.
5. Associative Play (3–4 Years)
Between three and four years, children begin to directly interact and play with other children. They may be using the same materials but are not yet working towards the same goal. For example, the children in the sandbox are now exchanging toys, when drawing they start to comment on other children’s work, and when playing with the wooden blocks they share them to build their own towers.
6. Cooperative Play (4+ Years)
The last of the six developmental stages of play is marked by not only engagement with others but also collaboration towards a shared goal. This stage happens around four years of age and can bring some conflict as children learn to navigate differences in opinions, especially in larger groups. Cooperative play can look like building a sandcastle or a fort with other children, coming up with a secret handshake with a friend, or playing a group game of hide and seek.
How to Support Your Baby’s Play Development
You don't need elaborately planned activities or a packed schedule of enrichment classes to support your baby's play development. In early infancy, simply giving your baby plenty of opportunities to safely explore and interact with their environment is enough. As you go about your day together, narrate what you’re doing, sing songs, and make lots of eye contact to strengthen your emotional bond as well. As they grow, introduce age-appropriate toys that encourage them to reach, grasp, crawl, and pull up to stand. Read books together, let them explore different textures and environments, and follow their lead during play whenever possible.
Help your baby’s brain grow with fun, easy activities designed to encourage cognitive development.
Other Types of Play in Child Development
In addition to the six social categories of play, children engage in many other types of play that support learning and development. Physical play, such as running, jumping, and dancing, helps build muscle strength, balance, and coordination. Sensory play engages all five of baby's senses through various textures, smells, tastes, and sounds to support brain development and emotional regulation. Constructive play, such as building with blocks, encourages problem-solving and creativity, while imaginative play gives children opportunities to try out new roles and ideas. These types of play can overlap with Parten’s social stages, and children may engage in several types of play during the same stage or play activity.
Grow, Play & Explore with Boppy
Play is a vital part of growth and development, allowing babies and children to learn about themselves and their surroundings. Through play, children develop cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills. As they grow, play becomes increasingly social as they move through the six stages of play development. As you create a play-friendly environment for your little one, remember that play doesn’t have to be elaborately planned, it can happen naturally throughout the day. Follow your child’s cues, give them plenty of options to explore, and enjoy the process of discovery.
Boppy is your trusted source for safe playtime toys and accessories, as well as resources for every stage of the parenting journey. For more guidance on play and other topics, including wake windows by age, visit our blog.
Explore Boppy’s playtime favorites to support your baby’s development through every exciting milestone.
Stages of Play FAQs
Do children always go through the stages of play in order?
Not always. Parten’s stages of play describe common patterns of social and developmental play, but children may move between stages or show characteristics of more than one stage at the same time. Every child develops at their own pace, so these stages are best used as a general guide rather than a strict timeline.
What is the difference between parallel and associative play?
The main difference is how children interact with one another. During parallel play, children play alongside each other but generally focus on their own activities. During associative play, children begin interacting, talking, and sharing toys or materials, but they may not yet work toward a shared goal.
What toys are best for supporting play development?
The best toys for supporting play development are often simple, open-ended toys that encourage children to explore, create, and interact. Depending on their age and stage, this may include soft toys, rattles, blocks, books, pretend-play toys, puzzles, and art supplies.
How much should parents play with their child?
There is no set amount of time parents need to spend playing with their child. Even short periods of engaged, child-led play can support learning and development. Follow your child’s interests, respond to what they are doing, and give them opportunities to explore independently as well as play together with you.
When should I be concerned about my child's play development?
Every child develops at their own pace, and differences in how children play do not necessarily indicate a problem. However, talk with your child’s pediatrician if you notice significant concerns about their development, social interactions, communication, or ability to engage in age-appropriate play. Your pediatrician can help determine whether further evaluation may be helpful.
