For children, however, the opposite is true. Play is a child's work. Types of play Children play in a variety of ways. Putting together a puzzle, riding a bike, reading, playing with a busy box, drawing and writing are all activities that children might do alone. Playing alone is called solitary play.
Parallel play refers to children playing in the same space in their own way.
One child may be measuring water in a cup while another child at the water table is floating a boat. Cooperative play happens when children actively play together, such as building block structures or playing store or house. Listen to children as they play. Children will give you clues about what you might provide to extend their play. Sometimes children have trouble getting play started.