An Introduction to Steiner Education: The Waldorf School

by L. Francis Edmunds

Rudolf Steiner’s educational system―long established and respected on the European continent―is gradually spreading around the world. Its radical principles, based on a view of the human being as composed of body, soul, and spirit, allows for a truly holistic and balanced education that nourishes the whole child. The author explains, in a clear and lively style, many aspects of Steiner’s educational theories, especially the three stages of child development and how the Waldorf curriculum provides a healthy understanding, nurturing, and support for these phases.

Edmunds discusses the role of the class teacher, the “main lesson,” the four temperaments, attitudes toward discipline, competition, and examinations. His answers are based on the author’s many years of rich and varied experience as an educator of both children and adults.

This is an excellent introduction to the theory and practice of Steiner/Waldorf education, whether for teachers or anyone who would like to know more about Steiner’s ideas. It is especially useful for parents who are looking for a holistic education for their children.

Genres: Education

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Andrea Rampin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic concepts are not bad at all, but do they really have to be so connected to religion?

[Kaif Mahmood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful introduction to a spiritual way of looking at the child and the unfoldment of his life. The book embodies the compassion and vastness of imagination that is at the heart of the Waldorf approach.

One is, however, left with a few questions at the end of it. The book's illustrations of how Waldorf education works with children having psychological difficulties seems somewhat surface-level, not acknowledging the gravity of the pain that is almost inevitably a part of a child's life, in less or more measure. As a psychotherapist, my experience says that we all have encountered trauma as children in different forms, and a simple playfulness, or dramatised expression of one's feelings through theatre, may not be a sufficient substitute for a deep, trusting relationship in which the child can express his pain and grow out of it.

One is also left wondering if the strong emphasis on music, dancing, theatre, and the general sense of vivaciousness in Waldorf education may leave the quiet child in the shadows and favour the more sanguine one. Although theoretically, temperamental differences are accounted for, but the practice seems to leave a lingering impression as being a particularly extroverted one.

These difficulties notwithstanding, this book would be an enriching text for anyone wanting to understand the nature of childhood, the slow unfoldment of the human personality, and all that is harmful with mainstream schooling.

[Cyan Wisp · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not convinced that Francis Edmunds sells the idea of Waldorf education effectively. The educational and metaphysical concepts in Waldorf are complex, self-contained and can appear to be, well, weird. This book tends to couch the concepts further in "poetic" waffle and it is oft-times cryptic and unclear.

Waldorf education is based on a philosophy called Anthroposophy. It is not religious but it may seem like it at first glance - Bible stories and Christian festivals are studied or celebrated. There are various reasons for this (reverence for life and yearly rhythms are just the beginning...)

Edmunds, however, seems to take an entirely Christian stance in this book. This is misleading and may alienate atheists or those of other faiths. Waldorf education is inclusive and points of difference (like religion) are welcomed.

There are better books out there that are much more informative, less pretentious and have no religious presupposition.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listen, all I wanted was some bread so I picked up this book. Waldorf education has always struck me as an interesting concept so I wanted to discover ways to implement some hidden gems into our own home education. For example, making kindergarten bread. How sweet!
This book rambled and bounced between tangents amd extremes-- from claims that Steiner educatiom prevents kids to needing glasses to odd religious applications to puberty (and the sexual feelings that come with it).
I tried to follow the author's thought process and felt so lost until about page 200 when the author settles into a brief history and follows a better storyline about "why" a Steiner Education is optimal, in the author's opinion. While I don't necessarily agree with everything claimed, it was interesting and worth reading if only to reconsider my own opinions and see if I can make room to grow. While i agree that our society pushes kids to grow up too fast, I also think our children's abilities are underestimated and a child's eagerness to learn something new (even early reading or mathematics) shouldn't be ignored. That said, I love many points made about imagination and allowing kids to learn with movement and art.
But then the author launched into more.tangents and I struggled to figure out how the points were supposed to connect.
I enjoyed the question and answer section the most. That was a little more clear about how things are done in Waldorf schools, which is what i was intially curious about when i opened this book.
Overall, if you're curious about this form of education, skip this book. It didn't clarify much and made me wary. But if you're a BIG fan of Waldorf and super familiar with the technology, maybe you'll like it?

[ultrosealia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally, as a pre service teacher in Australia looking into teaching at a Steiner school, and trying to gather as much information as possible about the culture of this pedagogy, I think this was a very good introduction. Would not recommend for anyone other than parents looking into sending their children to a Steiner primary school, or pre service teachers like myself who may be interested in completing practicum at a Steiner/Waldorf school.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dude, this lady is such a hippie! In parts i had a hard time taking her seriously ... that aside, the writing is very philosophical and dense and the book gives a good sense of the origins of Waldorf and theories behind it.

[Kirstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the organization of the Waldorf school system. I found this book helpful even as a Waldorf homeschooler as it explains the why of much of Steiner's methodology.