At what age do children typically start demonstrating egocentric behavior that impacts group play?

The age range of 5 to 7 years is critical for the development of social cognition in children, where they begin to understand the perspectives and feelings of others. This period is often marked by a transition from primarily egocentric behavior to more cooperative and group play. Children start to recognize that others may have different thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints, allowing them to engage more effectively in interactive play scenarios.

During this age, children also develop skills such as sharing, taking turns, and negotiating roles within group settings. While younger children (around 3 to 4 years) may show some initial signs of group play, their interactions are often centered around parallel play where they play near others but may not fully engage in cooperative play.

As they reach the age of 5 to 7 years, they begin to shift from this egocentric perspective, which leads to improved collaboration and teamwork in their play activities. Therefore, the age group of 5 to 7 years is identified as the time when children start to exhibit reduced egocentric behavior, which positively influences their participation in group play.