During which type of play do children intentionally play with others but without a shared goal?

The type of play where children intentionally engage with others but do so without a shared goal is known as associative play. During associative play, children interact with one another while participating in similar activities; however, there is no coordinated effort towards a single objective. They might exchange materials, have conversations, and respond to one another, but their individual play remains largely independent.

This form of play typically occurs around the ages of 3 to 4 and indicates a developing social interaction among peers. It is a critical stage in early childhood development, as it promotes communication skills and social understanding without the pressure of collaboration that defines cooperative play. Associative play sets the foundation for later forms of play, where children learn to work together towards common goals.