What type of play includes exchanging and sharing toys?

Associative play is characterized by children interacting with each other while engaging in similar activities, such as exchanging and sharing toys. In this type of play, children may play together but do not have a shared goal or organization in their play, which distinguishes it from cooperative play where there's a clear structure and common objectives.

During associative play, children improve their social skills by communicating and collaborating, which often involves negotiating and sharing resources like toys. This interaction is essential for their development, as it encourages them to practice turn-taking, conflict resolution, and sharing, helping to build their peer relationships.

While solitary play involves a child playing alone, and parallel play sees children playing side by side without much interaction, associative play provides a foundation for more complex social interactions that will emerge as children grow and begin engaging in cooperative play.