During which stage of development do children generally begin to interact with others outside of their family?

Children typically begin to interact with others outside of their family during the preschool age stage of development, which usually spans from about 3 to 5 years old. This is a crucial period when children start to develop social skills and form relationships with peers in various social settings, such as daycare, preschool, or playgroups. At this stage, they engage in cooperative play, learn to share, take turns, and understand social cues, which all contribute to their ability to interact with individuals beyond their immediate family.

In contrast, infancy is primarily characterized by the child's interactions with caregivers and the immediate family. Early childhood extends beyond preschool age, but it is at the preschool age where the foundational social interactions outside the family strongly begin. By the time children reach adolescence, their social interactions are much more complex and involve broader social networks, but the question specifically focuses on the initial stage of outside family interactions. Therefore, preschool age is accurately identified as the stage when these interactions typically commence.