Two-year-olds’ play is parallel, and progressing toward associative play. They begin to play in closer proximity to each other. Two-year-olds watch each other and imitate the actions of their classmates. They build simple block structures and knock them over and enjoy making horizontal structures. Their buildings remain separate from their peers’ buildings.

Three-year-olds’ play moves from associative play to cooperative play. Turn-taking patterns begin to develop. Children begin to build together and cooperate with one another in their play. Three-year-olds begin to build solid structures that are vertical and often agree to build in a group.

Four-year-olds’ play is cooperative and involved. Play continues from day-to-day and week-to-week with elaborate rules and imaginative plot lines. Four-year-olds develop a great sense of imagination and they begin to build solid, vertical structures together.

Kindergartners’ play continues to be cooperative and sustained for longer periods of time. They are gaining social maturity, increased organization and problem-solving skills. Kindergartners build solid, intricate block structures together and include stories and plot lines in their play. Cooperative play is when children play together and actively take part in the same activity.