The Steiner Waldorf education system and school principles are based on the anthroposophic philosophy which focuses mainly on the child’s character. This article examines the role of the teachers and the Steiner school's curriculum.
Steiner Waldorf Teachers
Steiner Waldorf teachers are aware that in order to remain alert, creative and responsive to the challenges of their profession they must embark on a path of on-going inner development. Following are some aspects covered during their full-time training course which usually spans three years.
Subjects Studied
- The evolution of human consciousness and the history and philosophy of education.
- The relationship between man and the cosmos.
- Goethe's methods concerning the mineral, plant and animal kingdoms.
- Painting, clay modelling, story telling, speech, eurhythmy, drama, music and in turn develop their creativity.
- The major phases of child development and the principles underlying Steiner Waldorf education.
- The psychology of adult development.
- School management.
- Educational movements and modern day trends in education. (Steiner Waldorf Organisation)
Steiner Teachers Work Together
According to the Institute for Steiner Waldorf Teacher Education, in Steiner Waldorf schools the responsibility for educational matters is carried out primarily by the teachers, who work together in a co-operative way without a head teacher. A council of management comprising of parents, teachers, and an administrator usually manage the school's resources.
Steiner Curriculum
Individual subjects are integrated from the youngest classes up to school-leaving age, and all the subjects are taught in an interdisciplinary way in accordance with the stages of development. Integration helps the pupils, through their school career, to follow thematic threads, and develop their understanding of complex inter-relationships between phenomena.
Steiner Subject Blocks Help Memory
In Steiner schools, main subjects such as form drawing and arithmetic are taught for two hours at the beginning of the day in blocks lasting about a month.This method of time-tabling is thought to be an economical teaching technique which helps focus interest and strengthen memory.
A comprehensive balance of practical life skills such as gardening, technology and design, crafts and work-experience on the land and in industry is complemented by a wide range of artistic activities including music, eurhythmy, drama, painting, and sculpture. This intertwining of different skills and subjects, enables the children to learn about the world, society and themselves in a way they can strongly identify.
Steiner Schools Receive Guidelines
The Steiner Schools Fellowship provides guidelines for schools, but basically the schools are independent and their methods are not inspected in the same way that state schools are checked. The principal teacher is responsible for teaching a wide range of subjects and is at liberty to choose whatever material is appropriate for each individual situation.
Alternative Education – Check First
Many parents are looking for alternative ways of educating their children. Parents should ensure that the school’s philosophies are in keeping with their own and investigate thoroughly any alternative systems of education they are considering before they enroll in their children.
Find this article interesting? Read:
Alternative Education Steiner Waldorf - Anthroposophical Schools
Alternative Education Steiner's Anthroposophical Curriculum
Alternative Education - Steiner Schools' Lesson Structure
Sources:
Lesley Lanir - Freelance writer, lecturer and teacher trainer Lesley Lanir, writes on foreign language learning disorders, linguistics, and literature.
