Final answer:
Children learn to take the role of others through play and imitation (A), as suggested by George Herbert Mead. By engaging in these activities, children learn about roles and societal expectations, which are crucial to the development of their self-identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to George Herbert Mead, children learn to take the role of others primarily (A) through play and imitation. Mead's theory of socialization posits that children develop their sense of self through stages, beginning with the preparatory stage, where they engage in imitation without the ability to understand others’ perspectives. The next phase is the play stage, where they begin to act out roles of other people they observe, like parents or other family members. By playing and imitating, they learn to consider multiple roles and how these roles interact. Finally, they develop the concept of the generalized other, understanding the behavioral expectations of society and gaining the ability to see themselves as others see them, which is crucial to the development of the self.