Mead believed that the self develops through social interaction, specifically through a process he called "taking the role of the other." Play is a key part of this process.
Here's how Mead explained it:
* Play Stage: Children first learn to take on the roles of significant others (parents, siblings, etc.). They mimic these roles and imagine how those individuals would act in different situations. This helps them understand different perspectives and develop a sense of self in relation to others.
* Game Stage: As children mature, they move beyond playing simple roles to participating in organized games with established rules. This requires them to consider the perspectives and actions of multiple others simultaneously, coordinating their own actions to fit within the larger group. This stage is crucial for developing a more complex and generalized self.
Mead argued that through play, children learn to see themselves through the eyes of others, which is essential for developing a sense of self-awareness and social responsibility.