Steiner

The Steiner approach to education was formed by Rudolf Steiner who was an Austrian philosopher, artist and scientist. The first school was established in 1919. Originally the first school was opened for the Waldorf- Astoria factory workers in Germany and is how the name Waldorf schools became. Currently there are over 1200 schools globally.

The Steiner philosophy differs from mainstream education in many ways, although the focus on capabilities, creativity and resilience can be related and align with the goals of mainstream educational systems. It is important to note that each Steiner school is run independently so may vary in application of the philosophy.

The need for imagination, a sense of truth and a feeling of responsibility – these are the three forces which are the very nerve of education.   -Rudolf Steiner

Based on a holistic and integrated approach with the idea that a child’s moral, spiritual and creative sides need as much attention as their intellect and the developing of the whole child, therefore teaching is more about a method that is based on a balance of intellectual, practical and artistic teaching. There is a large emphasis on physical development with Steiner schools using a dance form called eurythmy to help children’s physical development. Colour also plays an important part with teaching about the colour spectrum in increasing a child’s creativity.

Fundamental to Steiner education is its age-appropriate developmental pedagogy. At each stage of development, the curriculum is designed to engage the abilities of the growing child. Steiner education aims to educate the whole child. Sometimes this is called educating the head, the heart and the hands. The teaching method, the lessons make-up and design and the curriculum used are developed specifically for the stage of a child’s development.

A key focus in Steiner education is on age-appropriate lessons aligned with the developmental stages of the child. The early years curriculum is primarily play-based.

A child will generally have the same teacher from starting school at 6 years old (or 7 years) through to 14 years. This practise is commonly known as “looping”.

It is normal for a child to be in a mixed age group class, although classes do tend to be small.

Wooden toys are favoured over plastic, particularly considered important in the younger age groups. This is to increase a child’s imagination which plays a vital role in the Steiner method. Another point of difference is that the integration of information technology is usually delayed until high school.

Children are helped to develop their own abilities and excel academically.

According to Waldorf methodology, children are not taught to read until their permanent teeth come in (until around ages seven or eight). Instead, in the early primary years, oral storytelling and play time are emphasized. In this style of learning there has been the concern that the delay in teaching basic reading skills could put children behind in their studies, however, studies do not support this with children catching up in their reading skills by age 10 and generally showing no signs of difference in reading achievement.

• Play based
• Child as a whole
• The teacher directs and  is the moral leader
• There is structure but it is very creative space.
• It is play based but with a dependable routine.
• It has an all-weather approach with lots of experiences outdoors
• There are no desks, no media or electronics
• Children work at their own pace and explore their own interests
• Emphasis on creative learning
• It is for parents who want their child to develop individualism in a cooperative, creative and routine based way.