In  an  earlier  chapter  reference  is  made  to  the  informal,  dramatic
play  in  which  children  spontaneously  indulge  in  connection  with
their  toys  and  other  familiar  projects.  Housekeeping  and  other  social
activities  are  suggested  by  the  subject  matter  of  the  curriculum,  or  by
any  new  or  unexpected  experience.  Play  of  this  sort  represents  the
child's  effort  to  interpret  activities  in  which  his  interest  has  been
awakened.  The  teacher  leads  the  child  through  sympathetic  response
to  make  his  action  truer  to  life,  to  add.  incidents  which  will  enrich
the  meaning  of  his  play,  and  to  organize  it  into  a  more  complete
series  of  related  acts.  This  may  be  done  by  giving  him  more  direct
experience  with  the  activities  he  is  trying  to  interpret,  or  by  ques-


58  THE   KINDERGARTEN   CURRICULUM.
