Which behavior in young children indicates the beginning of social play?

Participating actively in group games signifies the beginning of social play in young children because it involves interaction and cooperation with others. At this stage, children start to understand the dynamics of playing with peers, which requires them to follow rules, share ideas, and negotiate roles within the group. This engagement fosters essential social skills, such as communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution.

In contrast, playing alone without interaction, engaging in cooperative play with minimum interaction, and playing parallel to a peer without interaction reflect earlier stages of play development. These behaviors indicate that while children may share space or activities, they are not yet fully engaging with each other in a meaningful social context. Therefore, active participation in group games is a clear marker that children are moving towards more complex forms of social interaction and play.