Skill
Imitates and Plays with Peers
Toddler imitates other children and joins in simple play with them.
Ages 8–36 months
Why it matters
Imitation games and side-by-side play are how toddlers first practice doing things together. Moving from watching, to copying, to simple cooperative play builds the give-and-take that underlies all later collaboration.
Builds toward this milestone
- imitates and engages in play with other children. — Head Start ELOF
What mastery looks like
- Imitates another child's simple action, sound, or movement during play.
- Joins in a shared activity with a peer, sometimes taking turns toward a common goal.
How to observe it
- Does the child copy what another child is doing during play?
- Can the child sustain simple play with a peer around a shared focus?
Accessibility
- Use highly repeatable, predictable games (clapping, peek-a-boo) that are easy to copy.
- Provide duplicate toys so imitation does not require giving up a coveted item.
Activities
Evidence
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) — U.S. Office of Head Start · 2015 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Early Atlas