What is one of the first signs of social development in young children?

Engaging in parallel play is recognized as one of the first signs of social development in young children. This type of play occurs when children play alongside each other, but do not directly interact in a cooperative manner. Instead, they may use similar toys or play in close proximity, showing an awareness of other children while still focusing on their own activities. This behavior indicates early socialization and the beginning of understanding how to coexist with peers.

In the context of child development, parallel play demonstrates that children are starting to form connections with others, even if they do not engage in direct interaction. It lays the groundwork for more complex social behaviors that will develop later, such as cooperative play where children actively engage with each other in shared activities.