Associative play is primarily characterized by which of the following?

Associative play is primarily characterized by children interacting with one another while pursuing similar activities, but without a specific shared goal or organized structure. In this play stage, children may be engaged in individual tasks or games, yet they acknowledge each other's presence and may share toys or materials. This form of play emphasizes social interaction over collaboration towards a common objective, allowing children to develop their social skills and learn from one another.

The nature of associative play involves cooperation and some level of sharing, but it lacks the focused teamwork seen in more structured formats, such as group competitions or collaborative projects. Instead, the emphasis is on personal engagement alongside peers, making option B the best fit for defining this stage of play development.