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A Brief History
Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) is one of
the most brilliant and multi-faceted visionaries of the last century whose indications hold important implications
for our current world, yet his work still remains largely unrecognized. Waldorf education was founded by Steiner, a highly
respected and well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar who was particularly known for his work
on Goethe's scientific writings.
In 1919, Rudolf Steiner was invited to give a series of lectures to
the workers of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany. As a result, the factorys owner, Emil Molt asked
Steiner to establish and lead a school for the children of the factory's employees. Steiner agreed to do so on certain conditions,
including that the teachers who would be working
directly with the children take the leading role in the running of the school, with a minimum of interference from governmental
or economic concerns. Molt agreed, and the Free Waldorf School was opened shortly
thereafter. Steiner later came to incorporate his scientific
investigations with his interest in spiritual development. In addition to education, Steiner also applied his knowledge
and experience to a variety of other subjects, including architecture, medicine, agriculture, religion, and economics.
Read more about Steiner...
The
Wisdom of Waldorf
With its roots in a philosophy called
Anthroposophy, Steiner designed a curriculum that would encourage free thinking within children rather than catering to the
requirements of governmental forces. The
content of the Waldorf curriculum was, in and of itself, responsive to the developmental phases in childhood, as well
as nurturing of childrens imaginations. More than merely 'developmental education', Waldorf is a deeply
insightful application of learning that is based on the study of humanity.
The word Anthroposophy comes from the Greek words anthro (human) and sophia (wisdom).
Steiner characterized Anthroposophy as "a path of knowledge which leads the spiritual in the human being to the spiritual
in the universe". Anthroposophy is not a religion, nor is there a specific body of teachings. Rather, one
is encouraged to awaken to one's own inner nature and to that of the outer world through a means of study and
practical observation that continually asks the question: What is a human being?. It is through this awakening that
Steiner believed that authentic creativity and a deep reverence for all life could be fostered.
Read more about Anthroposophy...
Awakening and Unfolding
What helps to make Waldorf unique is not so much the
subjects that are taught as when and how these subjects are introduced. Based on Rudolf
Steiners idea that specific forces and capabilities unfold within a child in distinct seven-year cycles, the Waldorf
model is designed to provide the right thing at the right time.
This does not mean that there is an intention to merely impose intellectual content or
to impose content that a child is not ready to embrace. Rather, Waldorf Education is designed to awaken the capacities within
a child. Teaching itself is considered to be an art form, and one that retraces the historical journey of the soul as
the content of the curriculum parallels the history of human civilization.
This task of awakening
is the true task before all of us as parents. Waldorf rducation provides some highly effective tools for transformation
in this process.
The concept of distinct seven-year cycles is central to Waldorf education.
Each cycle carries its own focus and primary emphasis through which one learns. After one has concluded studies
through the content of the Waldorf educational curriculum, one may continue to study Steiner's indications for adult
development, also unfolding in seven-year cycles, for the course of one's life.
Birth to Age 7
-
the growth of the physical body
- the process of imitation
- the virtue of goodness
- learning primarily
through the hands
- rooted in the physical (or willing)
realm
Ages 7 to 14
- the strengthening of ones life forces
- the process of imagination
- the virtue of beauty
- learning primarily
through the heart
- rooted in the etheric (or feeling) realm
Ages
14 to 21
- the development of cognitive skills
- the process
of inspiration
- the virtue of truth
- learning primarily through
the head
-
rooted in the astral (or thinking) realm
Waldorf education is also recognized
for its distinct approach to the curriculum, with an emphasis on the oral tradition, decreased use
of electronic media, and an emphasis on festivals.
Read more about some of these unique aspects of Waldorf education, as well as the Main Lesson, practical
arts, music, Eurythmy and Spatial Dynamics.
Age 21 and Up
- continuing personal development and transformation
- the assertion of
ones will through moral responsibility
- the process of intuition
- the
virtue of wisdom
- learning takes place in a cumulative, integrated nature (higher
Ego)
For further reading on biographical cycles, we recommend the following books:
- The Veiled Pulse of Time (William Bryant)
- Phases: The Spiritual Rhythms
of Adult Life (Bernard Lievgoed)
- The Human Life (George O'Neil and Gisela O'Neil) Copyright © 2003-2010 Waldorf Family Network
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