During which stage of play do children begin to share toys?

The stage of play where children begin to share toys is associated with associative play. During this phase, children start to engage with one another while still maintaining their individual activities. In associative play, they may share toys and interact by exchanging materials, talking about their play, and showing interest in what others are doing. This interaction marks a significant development in social skills, as children are not just playing alongside each other but are beginning to form connections and collaborations.

In contrast, during solitary play, children play independently without interacting with others, which means sharing toys does not occur. Cooperative play involves more complex interactions, where children work together towards a common goal, sharing toys and role-playing, but this typically comes after associative play. Parallel play occurs when children play side by side but do not interact; they may use the same toys but do not share or engage with one another directly. Understanding these stages helps to clarify when sharing begins to play a role in children's social development.