Final answer:
Play is important in developing self because it allows children to take on the role of others and learn abstract thinking.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to George Herbert Mead, play is important in developing self because it allows children to take on the role of others and learn to consider several roles at the same time. Through play, children learn to understand interactions involving different people and their responsibilities, which helps them develop abstract thinking. By engaging in imaginative play and taking on different perspectives, children learn to separate their bodies from the environment and develop a sense of self-awareness.