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🛑 STOP! Think Twice Before Delaying Cooperative Play 🛑

Have you ever heard that parallel play goes on until age 5 or 6, so there’s no need to encourage cooperative play early on?

Well, that advice could be setting you and your little one up for missed opportunities! ✨

**Why This Matters**:

Every child is different, but on average, cooperative play begins to emerge around ages 3 and 4. Telling parents not to worry about social play skills until kindergarten is not just wrong—it’s harmful! 👨‍👩‍👧

**The Power of Modeled Play**: Children who have the advantage of modeled play—demonstrated by a parent, caregiver, or older sibling—learn crucial skills like sharing, turn-taking, and imagination much earlier.

📚 **Research-Backed Facts**: Studies published in reputable journals like “Early Childhood Research Quarterly” and the “Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology” find that early cooperative play can: – Improve toddlers’ social skills, like sharing and conflict resolution. – Boost emotional regulation and frustration management. – Enhance cognitive skills, including problem-solving and language development. – Develop empathy and understanding of others. – Foster a sense of morality and fairness. 👶

**My Personal Journey**: You don’t need a journal to prove these points—I’ve lived them! I taught my twins the importance of cooperative play from as early as 8 months, and guess what? By age 2, they’re sharing and taking turns independently or with minimal help/prompts. 💥

**The Meltdown Factor**: Ever wonder why some kids are more prone to meltdowns? Consider the role of cooperative play. Learning to share and take turns early can help minimize tantrums and emotional outbursts later on. So before you brush off cooperative play as something for older kids, remember: the early years are a crucial time for social and emotional development. Don’t let them pass you by!

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