Steiner Waldorf Education

 

RudolfSteiner was an Austrian philosopher born in 1861. Steiner established a way of thinking that he applied to different characteristics of what he thought it meant to be human. Over a period of 40 years, he formulated and taught a path of inner development or spiritual research 'anthroposophy.' From what he learned, he gave practical suggestions for nearly every field of human venture. Art, architecture, drama, science, education, agriculture, medicine, economics, religion, care of the dying and social organization - there is almost no area he did not touch (Bamford, C Utne, E. 2014.)

The first Steiner school opened in Stuttgart in 1919 for the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory workers children. It was Enil Molt who asked Rudolf Steiner to found and lead the school in its early stages (What is Steiner Education, 2014.) Now there are more than 900 Waldorf schools in 83 different countries. In North America Waldorf education has been available since 1928, and there are now over 250 schools and 14 teacher training programmes.

Steiners lower school is split into 8 classes for children aged 6-14 years old. The lower school builds on active body and mind, which then get taken into the upper school for 14+ year olds where the curriculum challenges the pupils and still holds onto the principles from the lower stage.

Waldord education is based on understanding of human development that addresses the the needs of the growing child. Teachers strive to education the 'whole' child, which echo the views of Piaget:

• Hands - children need to grasp their world
• Heart - emotional period
• Head - developing intellect

(Micheal Hall - A Steiner Waldorf School)



The priority of Steiner ethos is to provide an easy-going and creative learning environment where children can find the joy in learning and experience the fullness of childhood rather than early concentration of academic hot-housing. (What is Steiner Education, 2014.)
By allowing children to make sense of the world at their own pace. The children are left unhurried and shadowed from the anxiety and expectations of exam and testing results. From this children are free from being labelled at a young age, an age where they should be enjoying school and get excited by new experiences and people (Oldfiels, 2001, p.115.)

“Education as a journey – not a race” – (Oldfield, 2001, p.117.)

Within Steiner education the adult acts as a model for the children, where they learn throught imitation and examples set by the adult.
It is natural to children to imitate and be active. Steiner teachers can be sure that anything they begin to do will be happily imitated by the children, therefore the teacher acts as a focus point for the children and encourages movement (Oldfield, 2001, p.61-62.)

“The child reveals a trusting willingness to imitate the adult-world” – (Oldfield, 2001, p.60.)

"When approached by the news media and asked the question, - "What did Waldorf Education do for you?," Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg replied, "It encouraged me to always strive to become a better human being."

Reference:

Oldfield, L. (2001). Free to learn: introducing steiner Waldorf early childhood education. stroud: Hawthorn.
Anon. (2014). What is Steiner education . Available: http://www.steinerwaldorf.org/steiner-education/what-is-steiner-education/. Last accessed 10/12/14.
Bamford, C Utne, E . (2014). Waldorf Education . Available: http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/02_W_Education/rudolf_steiner.asp. Last accessed 10/12/14.
Michael Hall School, (2008). Michael Hall - A Steiner School. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1j3Shs1eig. Last accessed 10/12/14.
Stoltenberg, J Norwegian Prime Minister (no date). Available: htp://www.whywaldorfworks.org/01_WhyWaldorf/quotes.asp. Last accessed 10/12/14.
Why Waldorf Works - About Rudolf Steiner, 2014.  Available: http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/02_W_Education/rudolf_steiner.asp. Last accessed 10/12/14.Why Waldorf Works - What is Waldorf Education?, 2014. Available: http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/02_W_Education/index.asp. Last accessed 10/12/14.