Does anyone have firsthand experience of going to a Rudolph Steiner school?

Anyone??

The Waldorf Eduction for myself, was a very interesting Journey.
Based on the Esoteric Philosophy and teachings of Rudolph Steiner.....

Personally ,I was intrigued at the depth of his insights and how I had never heard of this man.....or the Waldorf Schools....It held a deep element of mystery...

After spending time as a teacher in the pubic school system..I decided to research Waldorf Education..Over time I became educated in the Philosophies of the Waldorf School and Rudolph Steiner.

In 1992, I found myself as a teacher in training for 2 years in Upstate New York at a Waldorf School.... Taking Classes at there training Center in Spring Valley, NY....becoming a substitute teacher for all grades...

Their education system has a spiritual and nature based studies and provided more individual attention to awakening a child's inner gifts, through, visual and Hands on stimuli.....
..........
such as Kindergarteners start of with a Square crayon of one color..Red then Blue were the first 2 colors introduced...to understand each color vibration as they progress through each grade and learn color combinations and then the rainbow....on the elementary levels K-6......

Watercolor Painting is also introduced through out.......(Google Waldorf Painting....to see examples)

As the child grows.....it is then taught Mathematics through Nature and Geometry combining that with Art.....

Music and Drama also play a big part in the students development
Various Study of Goethe Poems and Architecture...

You won't find your average School supplies here, everything is some what nature based......wooden toys, handmade dolls, square crayons, special paints....

Higher Education Grades 9-12 are more focused and individualized for each specific Student....

I enjoyed my time working there and learned alot.....
The only draw back is that some of these small schools have a feeling of being a little cultish......

95% women teachers, few men......

It can some times be too Esoteric to understand......

They have a springboard philosophy of hiding society away from a child and letting them leap when they have matured spiritually into life.......anti TV....Plastic Toys, Action figures etc....

Good Luck on Your Journey....Hope This helps

Go have a chat with the school and take a tour....you never know till you walk through the door.....

Thank you very much for your thoughtful insights.

The more I read about Steiner schools, the more I like the idea.

My daughter is constantly told she is naughty at school but when she is with me or other adults she is very astute, inquisitive and angelic.

I think she might just be bored at school.

I will certainly go and take a look at the local Steiner school.

I very much appreciate your thoughts.. Thank you xxx

i agree, great insights, but the grammar is atrocious. you're not an english teacher, are you?

Best thing you could possibly do for her. Put aside ideas about any of the dogmatic elements you may not understand initially, this is not a cult nor religious indoctrination curriculum which it is often perceived to be. Steiner was a complex individual who had amazing insight that is sometime interpreted falsely or taken to seriously by those who misunderstand or may be over zealous, don't let this scare you away as you may make your experience entirely individual.

The crux of the philosophy is about teaching the child from within, as in, trying to help the child develop self by stimulating individual creativity through art, language, movement etc. as opposed to more a standardized curriculum which is programmed into the child memorization of fact etc. In Waldorf the child is given information for instance read verbally by the teacher then interprets that information by writing what they hear as well as illustrating the text, this process of writing ones own book as opposed to reading and interpreting the ideas and image of others facilitates an innate sense of self empowerment self inquiry and creative aptitude.

The inclusion of music and handwork etc only furthers to enhance this creative and self empowering element, nurturing lifelong skills and understanding which are sometimes lost in today's modern world.

If you seek to develop your child's whole self creatively, academically, spiritually, whatever your religious or non religious convictions as all are served and welcome in this paradigm, Waldorf/ Steiner schools are as good as it gets.....

Thank you for your input.

I truly appreciate your words of wisdom on this matter.

I think this style of teaching would greatly benefit my daughter in particular.

There is nothing mainstream about her!

A true self thinking individual.. I wonder where she gets that from?? hmmm? haha.

I attended a lecture on Angels at a Waldorf school. They stress the spirit of wonder combined with a more natural unfoldment in childhood developement. It seemed like a guarded but safe approach. I was impressed so i read up a bit on Steiner. Very spiritual man!

Spiritual eh?? I'm a very scientific person.. However I'll take spiritual over state run propaganda any day :)

[link to www.youtube.com]

there was a thread on Steiner yesterday.


Thread: Rudolf Steiner



you may find more insights in it. Good luck!

it's like Hogwarts they teach you how to cast spells

this is true