Which type of play involves children talking and playing together?

The type of play that involves children talking and playing together is associative play. In associative play, children engage in similar activities or play in close proximity while communicating and sharing materials, which facilitates social interaction. This form of play typically occurs around the preschool age and moving forward, as children start to develop their social skills and preferences for group dynamics.

During associative play, children may not be working towards a common goal, unlike cooperative play, where they actively organize and coordinate their play efforts. Instead, in associative play, they express their ideas, negotiate roles, and collaborate informally, which enhances their language and social skills.

The context of child development highlights how this stage of play fosters connections and helps children learn the importance of interaction, communication, and shared experiences in a social setting. It serves as a bridge between solitary or parallel types of play and more structured forms of collaboration found in cooperative play.