What type of play occurs when children engage in similar activities but do not directly interact?

The type of play in which children engage in similar activities without direct interaction is known as parallel play. This form of play typically occurs in early childhood development, particularly among toddlers. During parallel play, children may be next to each other, using similar materials or participating in similar activities, but they are not actively coordinating or influencing one another's actions.

This type of play is significant in development as it lays the groundwork for social interaction skills that will evolve into more complex forms of play, such as associative and cooperative play, where children begin to communicate and interact more directly with each other. Understanding the characteristics of parallel play helps educators and caregivers recognize the social development stages a child may be experiencing.