What type of play do toddlers typically engage in?

Toddlers typically engage in parallel play, which is characterized by children playing alongside each other but not directly interacting. During this stage, toddlers are developing their social skills and learning about sharing space with others, although they may not yet be comfortable enough to fully interact through cooperative play. In parallel play, toddlers might use similar toys or engage in activities in close proximity to one another, but each child is largely focused on their own actions.

This type of play is important for social development as it allows toddlers to observe their peers and begin to understand social cues, which can later lead to more structured forms of play like associative or cooperative play as they grow older.