Let’s say someone put two toddlers together from different families and these two toddlers are parallel playing.
Is this still not socialization? They are still interacting and connecting with each other by their very awareness of not being alone, and not being the only person of their size. They may not be able to necessarily think this into words or thoughts, but they will be affected by being with a peer nevertheless.
Have you not sat in the same room with someone doing your own thing – engaging on the computer, reading a book, snacking on food, talking on the phone, or even simply folding laundry – while the other person happens to be independently doing his/her own thing too? And have you never experienced this and nonetheless felt that you too somehow bonded by being in your own worlds together?
I love being in the same room with one of my friends. We can both be working on our computers, with her doing graphic design and with me typing, and it’s like we’re in this own magical creative world. I don’t know how to explain it, but her presence really brings out my best B”H. Why can’t toddlers also connect on a level of being together? They may need it more than adults, or just as much.