Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board

06/08/2026

Did you know that children typically don’t begin engaging in associative and cooperative play until around ages 3–5?

At younger ages, children are more likely to participate in parallel play, where they play near others but not directly with them. As they grow, they start to show more interest in peers - sharing materials, observing each other, and beginning to interact during play (associative play).

By the preschool years, many children begin cooperative play, where they work together toward a shared goal, take on roles, and follow simple rules. This progression is an important part of social development and doesn’t happen all at once - it takes time, practice, and lots of opportunities to play with others.

Understanding this can help us support children with patience and realistic expectations as they learn these important social skills. 💛



Source: Pathways.org

06/05/2026

Kids need the support of their parents, but they also need to learn to solve problems and overcome failure on their own. Here's how to help them do that. Link in the first comment to learn more.

06/05/2026

06/03/2026

School’s wrapping up and the days are heating up. Help kids stay cool by sipping water throughout the day.

06/02/2026

From birth, the brain is prepared to form strong, lasting emotional connections with one or more caregivers. These connections begin as a survival need: Without the love and care of adults, a baby cannot survive. But survival is only the beginning. Beyond survival, the interactions between a baby and a caregiver are also the earliest expressions of the question, “Do I matter?”—and the earliest affirmations, “Yes, you matter to me."

Learn more about how a strong sense of mattering supports children's health and well-being in the moment and throughout their life 👉 https://bit.ly/43bXRaX