FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which type of play involves children playing together with some level of interaction, such as sharing or talking?

1. Associative play

2. Games with rules play

3. Onlooker play

4. Cooperative play

The correct answer is: Associative play

Associative play is a type of play that signifies a stage in child development where children begin to engage with one another while still maintaining their individual play agendas. During associative play, children share materials and may engage in conversation but are not yet fully organized into cooperative play structures. This type of play allows children to interact, talk, and share resources, which is essential for social development and learning. In contrast, games with rules play typically involves more structure and agreement on specific rules among players, which goes beyond mere interaction. Onlooker play occurs when children observe others playing without actively participating, and cooperative play is characterized by more organized group activities where children work together toward a shared goal. Thus, the nuanced social interactions that define associative play, along with individual autonomy, make it the correct choice for this question.