Which type of play involves children playing side by side without interaction?

Parallel play is a stage of play observed in young children, typically around the ages of 2 to 3 years, where they play alongside each other but do not directly interact with one another. During this type of play, children might engage in similar activities with similar toys but do so independently. They may observe each other and sometimes mimic actions, but there is no coordinated effort or communication between them.

This stage is significant in development as it allows children to explore their environment and develop their individual play styles while being in the presence of peers. It lays the groundwork for more interactive forms of play that develop later, such as associative play, where children start to engage in more direct interactions, sharing and taking turns, and eventually cooperative play, where they work together toward a common goal.

This type of play is different from solitary play, where a child plays alone with no acknowledgment of others nearby, and from associative and cooperative play, which involve varying levels of interaction and collaboration with peers.