In which type of play does a child show interest and interaction without coordinated activities?

The scenario described in the question refers to a type of play where children engage with each other and show interest but do not coordinate their activities or work together to achieve common goals. This aligns with associative play, where children may share toys or engage in similar activities, but they are primarily focused on their own individual pursuits rather than collaborating in a unified effort.

In associative play, children are social and may interact with peers, often chatting or exchanging materials, but there is no structured organization to their play. This type of play is vital for social development, as it allows children to learn about sharing, taking turns, and expressing themselves in a social context, even if they are not working together in a coordinated manner.

This contrasts with other types of play, where levels of interaction and cooperation vary. For example, in unoccupied play, children are not engaged in any specific activity and may not interact with others at all. Onlooker play involves a child observing others without participating, while cooperative play entails collaboration and joint activities where children work together towards a common goal. The distinct social dynamic found in associative play is what makes it the correct answer to the question asked.