According to george herbert mead, in the play stage children learn how to perform a role they don't yet occupy. mead referred to this process as

I believe the answer is: anticipatory socialization

anticipatory socialization refers to a form of socialization where non-group individuals learn the culture and value of the group that they aspire to join. Example of anticipatory socialization would be when an american study japanese culture before going to his girlfriend's parents to ask permission to marry her.