0-Toddlers:
• Curiosity, parallel play, imitation.
• Hide favourite toys from visitors.
• Conflict resolved with physical force.

Keep the environment controlled and safe.

Level 1: 3-6 years
• Recognition of turn taking.
• A friend has a toy I like.
• One way assistance (he helps me).
• Proximity, a friend sits down close to me.
• Conflict resolved by force and a referee.
• Flexibility of thinking developing.
• Learn by observing peer group (rent a friend).
• Hide and seek (warmer, hot etc.).
• Shared interests as a reward.

It’s very important at this stage to teach turn taking and to ask for help. Another helpful game at this stage is ‘what else could it be?’ – ‘how else could we make it?’

Level 2: 6-9 years
• Reciprocity and being fair.
• Mutual assistance.
• Like the same activities.
• Knows the preferred activities of their friends.
• Chooses someone who is popular rather than mutually recognised (Rent a friend)

(Only satisfactory closure when there’s equal discomfort!)
At this stage there has to be role play, social engineering and running through situations again in a better way.
Ref: ‘How Humans Make Friends’, ‘Teaching Children With Autism To Mind-Read’, ‘How to Be A Friend’, ‘Oceans of Emotions’

Level 3: -13 years
• Aware of others opinions and how their actions affect others.
• Need for companionship rather than functional play.
• Co-operation more than competition.
• Share thoughts rather than toys.