Steiner Education: Schooling the Imagination

Resource Person Horst Hellmann during seminar on teaching physics in Grade 6 Steiner Education using musical instruments.

It has been known that a man's character is influenced by his education. Whether what school he came from or what level of education he gained, the bottom line is EDUCATION is important. Education does not only begin during the first time we enter an educational institution. Education starts in our homes and everything thereafter is a process of learning from childhood to adulthood and even old age. Among the life stages, the most crucial is the childhood stage and should be given attention. Learning in this stage should be according to the child's needs. One type of education that foster and designed for this is the Steiner Education or Waldorf Education. Its roots began in the spiritual-scientific re­search of the Austrian scientist and thinker Rudolf Steiner (1861-­1925). According to Steiner's philosophy, man is a threefold being of spirit, soul, and body whose capacities unfold in three develop­mental stages on the path to adulthood: early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.

Classroom under construction.

In April of 1919, Rudolf Steiner visited the Waldorf Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart , Germany . The German nation, defeated in war, was teetering on the brink of economic, social and political chaos. Steiner spoke to the workers about the need for social renewal, for a new way of organizing society and its political and cultural life.

Emil Molt, the owner of the factory, asked Steiner if he would undertake to establish and lead a school for the children of the employees of the company. Steiner agreed but set four conditions, each of which went against common practice of the day: 1) that the school be open to all children; 2) that it be co-educational; 3) that it be a unified twelve-year school; and 4) that the teachers, those in­dividuals actually in contact with the children, have primary con­trol of the school, with a minimum interference from the state or from economic sources. Steiner's conditions were radical for the day, but Molt gladly agreed to them. On September 7, 1919 , the Independent Waldorf School (Die Freie Waldorfschule) opened its doors.

Participants in painting activity - "experiencing color" with Reimon Gutierrez.

Steiner schools have a unique and distinctive approach to educating children, aiming to enable each stage of growth to be fully and vividly enjoyed and experienced. They provide a balanced approach to the modern school curriculum. The academic, artistic and social aspects, or ‘head, heart & hands' , are treated as complementary facets of a single program of learning, allowing each to throw light on the others.

This is implemented by using art as a practice, and language to develop the feelings, by nourishing the children with the rich heritage of wise folk tales, histories, fairy stories, poems, music and games that are part of our world civilization. This creates the cultural atmosphere in which the children are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, nature study, geography, science, languages, music and other subjects.

Steiner designed a curriculum that is responsive to the developmental phases of childhood and the nurturing of the child's imagination in a school environment. Steiner thought that schools should cater to the needs of the child rather than the demands of the government or economic forces, so he developed schools that encourage creativity and free-thinking. His teaching seeks to recognise the individuality of the child and through a balanced education, allows them to go into the world with confidence.

Grade 3 students preparing rice field with Teacher during farming block.

The unique quality of human beings is our capacity for conscious thought. Steiner schooling strives to support the development of well rounded human beings who are able to feel deeply and broadly, to think penetratingly and clearly, and then to act rightly out of conscious and free choice.

The best overall statement on what is unique about Steiner education is to be found in the stated goals of the schooling:

"Our highest endeavour must be to develop individuals who are able out of their own initiative to impart purpose and direction to their lives" . Rudolf Steiner

Today there are more than 800 Waldorf schools, 1200 kindergartens, 300 curative centers and over 50 Teacher Training Institutes in 40 countries. No two schools are identical; each is administratively independent. Nevertheless, a visitor would recognize many characteristics common to them all. It has been in the Philippines since 1994. Now a Steiner inspired grade school is in Bgy. Libongcogon, Zarraga, Iloilo , The Gamot Cogon School .
It has Grade 3 students and was inaugurated July 6, 2005 . The school will soon expand to kindergarten and other grades.

James and Tesa facilitating a study group.

The proponents of Steiner Education in Iloilo also have various activities. It includes teacher training and study groups for professionals . Meetings are every Saturday. 2-4pm. Collegio de Sagrado Corazon de Jesus on "Christianity as Mystical Fact" -- Basic Studies in Anthroposophy (Wisdom of the Human Being) Every Sunday. 3-5pm. Brgy. Libongcogon, Zarraga Iloilo "Kindom of Childhood" -- Basic Studies in Steiner Education . With Guest Lecturers : Gabriele Niemann. October 4-13 Specific Schedules to be announced.Public Talk and Seminar on Values and Morals in Education . Teacher Training for teachers of Gamot Cogon Institute, Zarraga, Iloilo 3-Block Live-in Training in Steiner Education. Block 1 on November 30 - December 11 (Two Weeks) Resource Persons: Nicanor Perlas, Jake Tan, Jim Sharman, Neeltje Bollen (Arts), Kathryn Perlas (Arts) Topics are on : Overview of Steiner Education, Multiple Intelligences, Evolution of Consciousness, Image of Human Being, Threefolding, Educational Situation in the Philippines. Biography Workshop. Art. BLOCK TWO. February 13 - March 3, 2006 (Three Weeks) Resource Persons: Horst Hellmann, Nicanor Perlas, Kathryn Perlas, Mary Joan Fajardo, Jake Tan, Others to be announced. Topics : Detailed study of Spiritual Image of Human Being. Steiner Pedagogy as it relates to Spiritual Image of Human Being. Arts, Other topics to be defined. BLOCK THREE. May 1-19, 2006 (Three Weeks) . Resource Persons : Horst Hellmann, Kathryn Perlas, MaryJoan Fajardo, Others to be announced. Topics : Arts, Curriculum Classes 1-4, Main Lesson, Movement/Games, Classroom management, Speech, Other Detailed topics to be defined. For inquiries on Steiner Education and other schedules contact Teresa Jalandoni. 0917-243-0399; 033-525-4393.

Bob Hale and Karen Maclean (Overview on Steiner's Education), Henry Barnes (Waldorf Education…An Introduction) with notes from Wein Gadian.