The nurse observed three toddlers playing side by side with dolls. Closer observation revealed that the children were not interacting with one another.
What type of play is this?

Choice A rationale:

Parallel play is a stage of play commonly seen in toddlers and young children. During parallel play, children play alongside each other, engaging in similar activities, but they do not interact directly with one another. In this scenario, where the toddlers are playing with dolls side by side without interacting, it aligns with the characteristics of parallel play. This type of play is a normal developmental stage and helps children learn from each other and develop social skills.

Choice B rationale:

Solitary play refers to a type of play where a child plays alone without interacting with others. In this case, the children are not playing alone; they are playing alongside each other, making solitary play an incorrect choice.

Choice C rationale:

Cooperative play involves children playing together in a group with a common goal or activity, such as building a sandcastle together. In this scenario, the children are not collaborating on a common task; they are playing individually alongside each other. Therefore, cooperative play is not the correct choice.

Choice D rationale:

Associative play occurs when children play alongside each other and interact with one another but do not have a shared goal or activity. Since the children in this scenario are not interacting with each other, associative play is not the correct choice.