Play, agree and try again
Shared play gives children practice proposing, listening and repairing.
At this age, play ideas and invented rules become more involved. Disagreements are still normal. You can name what happened and help find a solution without directing the whole game.
You can try
- Offer open-ended materials for building or pretending together.
- Help both ideas be heard and choose which one to try first.
- If conflict appears, pause, name it and try another solution.
Reviewed sources
BabyBright, on your phone too
Keep observations, routines and memories in one place. Use BabyBright in your browser or download the app for everyday moments.
My toddler will not play alone: supporting independent play
Ideas for ages 2–4 when your child wants you close, without timed targets or leaving them unsupervised.
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Imaginary friends at ages 3–5: should I worry?
Pretend companions can be part of childhood play; notice how your child feels about them.
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Playing together still needs support
Joining in, waiting and repairing small problems are skills in progress.
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