Ever try to get your one year old to play with another baby? It's not as
easy as you think.

Parents will often schedule "play dates" for their toddlers only to find
both kids playing by themselves. It's not that they're being unsocialable; they
just haven't learned to play together yet.

A typical one year old may watch other kids, or mimic what they see, but
they don't interact much. Around 18 months of age, you notice them trying to
talk to other babies, or exchanging toys, but most kids would still rather play
alone.

At about two, kids tend to really blossom at playtime. That's when you can
expect them to talk to their friends, and really engage in play. They also start
to fight over toys and take things away, so you'll need to be there to teach
them how to share and play cooperatively.

It won't be long before they're playing all kinds of games with their
friends. So, if your baby seems to be a loner, don't worry. Give them time and
soon they'll come out of their own shell!

Taken from TODAY, Focus on the Family
By Doctor Bill Maier

Labels: Articles, Family