Your Child Will Learn
How to play with another child
Here’s What to Do
- Set up play dates with another similarly-aged child. I probably will only want to play with a friend for about 30 minutes.
- Supply some toys that could encourage us to interact with each other. Put away toys you know I don’t like to share. Examples of collaborative toys:
- Blocks, dolls, toy broom, dress-up items, doctor set, play kitchen, toy cars
- Expect us to disagree and steal toys from each other. Try to let us work it out on our own, but intervene if we start to hurt each other.
- Try to let us play as independently as possible.
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Find a spot where you can watch me and my friend play.
ENGAGE
- Try to act as our “play coach” from the sidelines. Help with tricky things like putting on a dress-up outfit, but don’t play with us.
- If we try to hurt each other, tell us the rules and what we can do instead. Like: “I can’t let you hurt Lucas. No hitting. If you want to get his attention, pat his arm gently instead.”
ENCOURAGE
- If we aren’t naturally playing with each other, suggest a “script” to play from everyday life. Like: “It’s Teddy Bear’s birthday! Can you throw him a party?”
- Suggest ways we might be able to combine our separate play, like: “Can you push your car on Luna’s row of blocks?”
REFLECT
- How can you help me practice playing with different friends?
Not Quite Ready
Continue to give me opportunities to play with other children my age. Over time, I will shift from “parallel play” (playing next to another child but not with them) to collaborative play.
Ready for More
Help me play games with other children like “Tag,” “Hide-and-seek,” and “Ring Around the Rosie”
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will be able to successfully engage in play with another child.
Time to Complete
30 minutes
Materials Needed
Toys that encourage collaboration like blocks, dolls, toy broom, dress-up items, doctor set, play kitchen, toy cars