At what age does unoccupied play typically occur?

Unoccupied play typically occurs from birth to around 3 months of age. During this stage, infants are focused on their own bodies and may engage in random movements, such as kicking or waving their arms, but they are not yet engaging with objects or other children in a purposeful way. This type of play is important as it lays the foundation for later developmental milestones, such as motor skills and curiosity about their environment.

During this phase, infants are primarily observers and explorers of their own capabilities. They are less engaged with toys or other children and more concentrated on sensory experiences and discovering their own physical limitations. This early form of play is crucial for cognitive development as it allows infants to begin understanding spatial awareness and control over their bodies.

As children grow older and enter different stages of development, they shift into more interactive forms of play, such as parallel and associative play, which occur after this initial unoccupied stage.