What type of play allows children to learn social skills according to early years practices?

Cooperative play is the type of play where children work together, interact, and negotiate roles and rules, allowing them to develop important social skills. This kind of play typically involves two or more children collaborating on a shared activity, which encourages communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution. As children engage in cooperative play, they learn to understand different perspectives, share resources, and develop empathy as they consider their peers' feelings and needs.

In contrast, solitary play is characterized by a child playing alone, which does not facilitate social interaction or the development of social skills. Parallel play involves children playing alongside one another without direct interaction; while they may be in close proximity, they do not actively engage or collaborate, which limits the opportunity for social learning. Exploratory play focuses on discovery and experimentation with the environment or materials but does not necessarily include social interaction. Hence, cooperative play is key in fostering the social skill development necessary during early childhood.