Hi there, I’m a mom just like you—sipping coffee, picking up tiny wooden blocks, and marveling at how our little ones light up when they play. Playtime is magic. It’s where child development, motor skills, and social skills all come together. And today, I want to walk you through the six stages of play—how they unfold by age, how they help your child develop, and how toys and activities—especially wooden toys—make it all richer.

Why These Stages Matter

Play isn’t just fun. It’s essential. Play helps a child develop motor skills, cognitive abilities, emotional awareness, and social understanding. From unoccupied play to cooperative play, every stage is a step on your little one’s journey. The developmental psychologist Mildred Parten first described these six stages of play—and they’re still super relevant today 

1. Unoccupied Play (around infancy, ~0–3 months)

At this stage, your infant isn’t really playing yet. They’re exploring their body. Arms flail. Legs kick. Eyes wander. It looks a lot like … nothing. But that’s completely okay. That’s their first taste of curiosity—of movement and self. When you gently place a wooden rattle or a teething ring in their tiny hands, they’re learning. Sensory play, tummy time, and reach for toys—these help build awareness and motor skills. As a mom, I love those moments when my little one jerks a toy and it makes a soft sound. It’s like a tiny “Wow, I did that!”

2. Solitary Play (around 6 months to 2 years)

Now your toddler starts to play independently. This is solitary play or independent play. They might spin, stack, or chew on a block, all by themselves. They’re learning cause and effect, practicing motor skills, and discovering joy in their own world. I once watched my little one stack wooden shapes, completely absorbed—until crash! They laughed, picked them up, and started over. That’s play skills at work.

Wooden toys are magic here—simple shapes, soft textures, and sturdy edges help them feel safe. They can learn to play and explore freely.

3. Onlooker Play (around 2 years)

Here, your child might watch others playing. They’re curious and observant. They chat, point, or ask questions—without joining in. This is onlooker play, all about learning by watching. My little one stood by while her older friend built a tower, eyes wide, asking, “Can I try next?” That interest is social development in action.

Encouraging it? Invite them gently: “Want to try next?” Or hand them a wooden block to feel included.

4. Parallel Play (ages 2–3)

Next comes parallel play—when two kids play side‑by‑side, each absorbed in their own game, perhaps copying each other, perhaps using similar toys or objects, but not actually interacting. It’s a shy introduction to play with peers.

For example, in our playroom, two toddlers both build wooden block towers. They play quietly next to each other. It’s peaceful, and it teaches them motor skills, observation, and confidence. Gradually, they begin to notice each other’s creations—and that opens the door to associative play.

5. Associative Play (ages 3–4)

Here, preschoolers begin to share toys and ideas—but there’s no structured goal. That’s associative play: playing together, but loosely.

I’ve seen this when my daughter and her friend both pretend together with wooden animal figures—but one is the bunny, the other the fox—and they play separate little stories, sometimes trading ideas: “Here’s your bunny!” They’re engaging, communicating, and experimenting with play pretend and gentle social skills.

6. Cooperative Play (around 4–5 years)

And then—magic! Cooperative play emerges. Children play together, with a shared purpose and roles. They build a block castle, one lays the bricks while the other adds accessories. They play board games, take turns, or play pretend play as a team. This stage is big for social and emotional development, learning and development, cognitive development, and group activities.

In our home, we have a wooden play kitchen. My daughter and I run a pretend café—“You take orders, I serve the tea.” She giggles when I “make mistakes,” and we both learn patience, empathy, and collaboration.

Quick Recap: The 6 Stages

Why Wooden Toys Shine Through All Stages

At every stage, wooden toys—blocks, figurines, puzzles—stand out:

• Safety & sensory comfort: They’re warm, sturdy, simple, and often eco-friendly
• Open‑ended play: They let kids build, imagine, pretend, recreate—without rules
• Montessori and emotional benefits: They nurture concentration, motor skills, imagination, and emotional growth
• Encouraging group play: Simple wooden sets invite cooperative and pretend play—key for social skills and empathy

Play Activities Matched to Each Stage

To make play more developmentally appropriate, here are ideas tailored by age:

• Infant / Unoccupied: Tummy time with textured wooden rattles or with soft wooden teethers.
• Toddler / Solitary: Shape sorters, stacking blocks, chunky puzzles.
• 2‑year‑old / Onlooker: Sit near playmates, point and comment, hand them a piece to encourage joining.
• Parallel Play: Sandbox play, block towers built side‑by‑side, wooden cars zooming nearby.
• Associative Play: Shared pretend stories, mixing animal figures to suggest ideas, coloring with crayons and markers side‑by‑side.
• Cooperative Play: Board games with simple rules, building forts, pretend “shops” or “cafés,” water play with buckets to pass around.

A Few Nuggets of Wisdom

“Play is how young children make sense of the world.” — Dr. Lauren Starnes

Play is their language. It's how they learn to play pretend, take turns, solve problems, and make friends. As moms, we can:

• Provide safe, beautiful wooden toys that invite creativity.
• Offer outdoor play, sensory play, water play, or simple group activities to stretch their social skills.
• Follow age and stage, but also let each child is different flourish at their own pace.
• Celebrate progress—even a small step is big!

Final Thoughts

Writing this makes me smile. I remember nights when I tucked my toddler in bed after a day of block-stacking, dress-up, and tea-parties. I whispered, “You are amazing.” That’s the power of play.

Playtime is a gift—for our infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. It’s where they explore, imagine, learn, and grow. Wherever your little one is—from unoccupied play to taking part in a game with pals—it’s beautiful. As someone who adores wooden toys, I can’t wait to see how your child plays with peers, builds pretend worlds, and takes that next delightful step.

Here’s to joyful, developmentally appropriate play for our children—one stage at a time.