At what age do children actually play together?

[Nemo1977]

Just general question really. Wondering at what age children play together rather than next to each other.

[mummytosteven]

I've always thought it was when they are about 3.

[CaptainCavemansMummy]

Ds (21 mo) has just started doing this with his friends (also 21 mo).
V cute to watch them tickle and chase each other rather than squabble non stop!

[Nemo1977]

thanks MTS I thought it was around 3aswell but just wondered.

[Flossam]

ds and his friend play a simple game of hide and seek and have done for the last couple of months.

[fastasleep]

DS runs around adoringly after his 3yr old friend, they chatter, colour and play with the same toy.... I s'pose it's what you count as 'playing'

DS definately doesn't get very imaginative games..... I think maybe the age difference helps as well... (mine's started popping whole sentences out now all of a sudden, I'm sure it's all thanks to that 3 yr old!)

[Hattie05]

My dd is 3, and has started wanting friends to come round and play - but when they come round, she is still not keen on the 'sharing' toys side of things, and she is actually happier playing alone or with adults.
Some of her friends the same age as her, seem to be a bit better about sharing, but i think for dd it may be a territory thing and perhaps she would be more willing to share in someone elses house.

[fastasleep]

DS is two just in case you forgot or anyone else was interested

[fastasleep]

I meant to say 'everybody counts 'playing' as something different' iyswim!

DS and Steven bouncing in unisen on the trampoline and grinning at each other was playing together in my head!

[edodgy]

Erm Nemo I hope you arent worried about Adam have you forgotten Adam and Eve going up stairs playing the step in , step out game together for most of an afternoon? (btw i'll be on msn in a mo)

[Nemo1977]

ds is 2 and will play with another child if he is in a 1-1 situation. However if he is in a group he prefers to play alone. Think its normal for his age but its just that everyone keeps asking if he has any friends which he does but he is not particulalrly interested in seeking them out if that makes sense.

[edodgy]

Nemo he's a typical bloke wanting everyone else to do the running!

[Nemo1977]

lol edodgy..I had forgot that yes although that is a 1-1 thing. Anyway you wouldnt forget it as you had the pleasure of cleaning up the toys