Practical Steiner is a new podcast addressing the question “What might Steiner say?” about this or that topic that is of interest to me, the host. I am a fairly new Steiner student and have felt in these past two & a half years that finally, after years and years of wondering about the “why” of many things, I have finally come across someone with comprehensive knowledge enough to answer many of those questions.
My podcast is conversations - the more candid and honest the better - with various people who have been studying at least as long as I have and who have taken up Anthroposophy as a way of living. My over-arching interest is not in presenting “expert” opinion/interpretation of Steiner’s body of work but rather lies at the interface of the guidance from Steiner’s books and lectures with how someone lives their everyday life
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In this conversation, Cordelia clarifies and expands upon some of the content from Practical Steiner - Episode One [listen to E1]. We spend most of the time on the ‘Guiding Principles’ in Waldorf Education for the young child:
Protecting Childhood
modern tendency to hurry children along in development
“they only get six years, tops!”
Fostering of Imagination
the ability to think creatively is like a muscle & without use it will atrophy
simple playthings are best; let them fill in details
Rhythm and Repetition (& the etheric body)
important for us all but critical for the developing young child
downfalls if children don’t get this r&r
Example and Imitation
they’re learning how to be human beings from you!
Goal of keeping the child ‘open’
staying away from dogma, indoctrination
In the latter part of the interview we discuss the MANY detrimental effects of screens on children; the importance of letting children work things out amongst themselves; and, Does Waldorf include a place for children with behavioral problems?
FURTHER STUDY [I have not yet read any of these]:
Steiner Books/Lectures on the topic
Children Before the Seventh Year (Lecture, from GA 303 Soul Economy - Body Soul and Spirit in Waldorf Education)
The Education of the Child in the Light of Anthroposophy
Secondary Author: Educating Traumatized Children [Bernd Ruf]
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