At what age does a child typically begin to show social interaction as a developmental milestone?

Children typically begin to show social interaction around the age of 6 months. At this stage, they start to respond to social stimuli, interact with caregivers through smiling, and engage in simple social play. By 9 months, they become more engaged in social interactions, displaying behaviors such as looking to caregivers for cues, but the significant milestones in social interaction continue to develop through the toddler years.

By 1.5 years, many children exhibit more complex social behaviors, such as parallel play, where they play alongside other children but do not yet play cooperatively. They may also express a wider range of emotions and begin to engage more meaningfully with peers and adults.

By age 2, children typically show even greater social interaction skills, including taking turns, empathizing, and participating in cooperative play with peers. The social interactions become more sophisticated as language skills develop, allowing for improved communication and social connection.

The correct answer reflects an understanding that while some social interaction can be seen at various ages, the developmental milestone that indicates more significant social engagement develops further by the age suggested.