Creativity in Education: The Waldorf Approach

by Rene M. Querido

A first introduction to Waldorf Education. 85 pages

Genres: Education

Paperback

Published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very brief, but insightful, glimpse into Waldorf education practices based on the ideas of Rudolf Steiner. "The goal of education...is the development of an inner stamina and flexibility that will allow children to approach and respond to life." The path of this educational/life process begins with the hands and heart and then reveals itself through the head. However, there is a much stronger emphasis on the heart, "...everything children learn must go through the heart. Out of the heart comes impulse for doing. And out of willing and doing come understanding." Ultimately, the concern at Waldorf schools is "how to teach subjects so they engage the children to expand their understanding of themselves in relationship to the world. Wonder, gratitude, and responsibility provide the cornerstones for the child's development."

While I doubt I will ever start teaching at a Waldorf school (the training is very specific and expensive), I would like to apply some of these perspectives and goals to my own teaching. Focusing on the heart is inspiring (not merely in terms of respecting and valuing children as emotional beings who populate a classroom community, but also learning about history, science, art, etc. through an emotional lens to provide context and create passion/interest). I also love the goals of wonder, gratitude, and responsibility.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who want to go a bit deeper into what Waldorf Education is all about, this short series of talks given on a variety of subjects pertaining to Waldorf education/philosophy is very eye opening. I had a very basic understanding of what the Waldorf philosophy and who Rudolph Steiner was prior to reading this book and after I felt I had a better appreciation and a stronger desire to learn even more about this particular slant on education in addition to being better informed. What's more, though the book is a bit dated (the talks were given in the '70s and '80s) and looks very unassuming, the writing is engaging and accessible as well as still feeling relevant despite the decades between when they were first written and now (I suppose that's the beauty of Waldorf education - it's timeless). If you are looking to expand your understanding on this particular education philosophy or are looking into sending your child(ren) to a Waldorf-based school, I highly recommend this book.