Entwined already

We arrived at our first Steiner playgroup not knowing anything about the philosophy and not knowing that it would be the first step towards an ever increasing relationship. A relationship that has seen us enrolled both our children into kindergarten, me to do relieving teaching, attend staff meetings and now embark on Steiner Teacher training.


As a trained teacher you would think that I would know at least a little about the educationalist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) somehow though it this knowledge had passed me by.


In researching Steiner recently after an enlightening discussion with a friend, I came across a sceptic’s website, which was surprising unbiased (maybe just my bias showing here), that had the following interesting statement “Children should not be burdened with either spirituality or materialism. They should be loved and be taught to love. They should be allowed to grow in an atmosphere of cooperation. They shouldn't be typecast according to an ancient theory of temperaments. We should develop their emotions as well as their intellects. They should be introduced to the best we have to offer in nature, art, and science in such a way that they do not have to connect everything either to their souls or to their future jobs. They may not find this in most public schools but they almost certainly won't find it in a Waldorf school."


It is an interesting statement for me as in many ways it sums up my ideal concept of education and why I have often considered homeschooling.  The reality though is that every system – be it an educational one, a political one or anything in between – will have its faults and its merits.  Obviously some systems are more inherently faulty but for the most part I thing Steiner has got many things ‘right’ or at least the things I consider important ‘right’.  Emotional well being is such an essential ingredient for creating healthy individuals, more important I believe than academic study, who believe in themselves and are able to succeed it life – whatever they define success as – and this is a real strength in Steiner education.  Children are encouraged to be themselves, accepting and respecting themselves along with others who are being themselves.  There are studies that show children’s emotional wellbeing can have physical and mental effects that last long into adulthood and therefore, for me, a system which fosters acceptance and working out differences rather than running away problems has got to worth trying.


It is hard continue to maintain something of merit for a long period of time without having some guidelines to follow however once these guidelines have been set it is sometimes hard not to follow them by the letter and harder still to risk change when problems arise.  The typecasting according to an ancient theory of temperaments, that being choleric, melancholic, sanguine, and phlegmatic is a real possibility as is creating an indoctrinated community rather than an educational environment.  The key is to continue to question. This works in all areas of life in order to have meaning and also a check that we are where we want to be.  Why? Will be one of my foremost thoughts as I continue down this journey, trying to understand why things are taught, encouraged, allowed will hopefully enable me to be conscience of why we are part of the Steiner educational system and community.

Arohanui
Y
www.becominghealthy.co.nz