PLAY WHICH INVOLVES NATURAL MOVEMENT HELPS THE CHILD TO LEARN ABOUT THE PROPERTIES OF MATTER AND ABOUT HIMSELF. AN EXPANSIVE AND VERSATILE USE OF SPACE FOR LIVING INCREASES WITH EXPLORATION. FREEDOM TO MOVE IS INTELLECTUAL AND EMOTIONAL, AS WELL AS PHYSICAL. NEW EXPERIENCES ARISING OUT OF CURIOSITY AND INTERACTION WITH HIS OWN FAMILY AND OTHER CHILDREN HELP THE CHILD TO SORT OUT HIS FEELINGS AND RESPONSES. THEREFORE, THE CHILD NEEDS TO LEARN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL USES OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF HIS BODY THROUGH IMITATIVE MOVEMENT (OF TRAINS MOVING, BIRDS FLYING, ETC.) AND DRAMATIC PLAY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT CHILDREN WILL PACE THEMSELVES IN ALTERNATING PERIODS OF MOVEMENT AND REST, IF THEIR ENVIRONMENT IS NOT TOO STRUCTURED. IN A SCHOOLROOM SITUATION CHILDREN CAN CONTROL SOME PHYSICAL MOTION WHEN THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE SOCIALLY AND ARE EXPERIENCING REWARDING MENTAL ACTIVITY. TOO RIGID A SCHEDULE OR TOO MUCH TIME PRESSURE CAN INHIBIT A CHILD'S REACTIONS AND ACTUALLY HOLD UP LEARNING. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR $0.85 FROM NEA, 1201 SIXTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036. (MS)