Stage 5: Associative Play

Associate play generally occurs around the 3-4 years and consists of each child engaging in an separate activity but with the assistance and cooperation of others.

Associative play differs slightly to parallel play as whilst they are playing separately from one another, they are also involved with what the others are doing.

A child in the associative stage plays with other children, however while they engage in play with others they are not yet at the stage to participate in groups. By this we mean that they will play together in the same game/activity but not necessarily work together.

Children will begin to interact through talking, borrowing and taking turns with toys, but each child acts alone. The communication concerns the common activity generally confined to borrowing and loaning of play materials.

During associate play the more mature child soon emerges as the leader or organizer.

All those engaged in the play are within the similar activity. With this type of play there is no division of labour, so there is no organization of the activity around materials, goal, or product, it is without that specific purpose.

• Promotes cooperation
• Improves socialization through working/playing with others.
• Problem solving. They will ask questions such as the How, What, Why.
• Facilitates the further development of language.
• Show more reasoning skills.

They are developing friendships and preferences for playing with some. It is in this stage that they begin to make real friendships and start to work cooperatively together.

It is generally during this stage that pretend play is at its height.

Associative play’ (playing in conjunction with) is followed by ‘Cooperative play’ – play in a group of one or more working together – at around 4+ years of age..