Which type of play involves children building something together and then dismantling it?

Cooperative play is characterized by children actively engaging with each other to achieve a common goal, such as building a structure together. In this type of play, the children not only collaborate in the construction of the object but also partake in the process of dismantling it afterward. This interaction fosters social skills, encourages communication, and enhances teamwork as they discuss roles, negotiate tasks, and collectively make decisions.

In contrast, associative play involves children playing alongside each other and interacting, but they do not have a shared goal for a project like construction. Spectator play refers to a child observing others without engaging in the activity themselves, which does not contribute to collaborative building or dismantling. Lastly, parallel play occurs when children play next to each other but remain independent, not interacting significantly or working towards a joint objective. These distinctions emphasize the unique aspects of cooperative play, making it the correct answer for this scenario.