steiner education for early years?

[mamatilly]

we are considering steiner education for early years as it really focuses on the outdoors and celebrates the magic of festivals etc..

would then consider transferring at about age 7 to a mainstream school...

any thoughts on steiner early years???

thanks

[lowrib]

hi mamatillny are you aware that Steiner schools are based on a belief system called anthroposophy which has some very strange beliefs.

I used to think Steiner schools were a simply a more creative alternative to mainstream school, and was open to the idea (I have strong hippy leanings!). However now I have done some research I am really quite alarmed by what I have learnt and I'm afraid I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.

I would advise proceeding with extreme caution, and doing some thorough research.

Have a look at this thread for a start

[Tizian]

Waldorf Answers describes what Waldorf education is, what anthroposophy is as an important part of the basis for it and the relation between them. See also.

This page describes the main myths cultivated about Steiner education and schools in ideological secular humanist and atheist anti-Steiner campaigns, not least here at MN.

[mamatilly]

thanks for the links lowrib and tizian, will do my homework
x

[Tizian]

For some comments on Peter Staudenmaier, see Americans for Waldorf education.

Like Staudenmaier, "waldorf problems" and Northernrefugee39 give a seriously twisted caricature picture of anthroposophy for ideological reasons. For a more reliable picture, see Wikipedia.

In addition to anthroposophy, which forms parts of te basis for Steiner edcuation, it to a large extent is based on a thorough knowledge of psychology and pedagogical theory and philosophy at the time during which it was founded.

For a description of the "secret" relation between Steiner education and Steiners philosophy (anthroposophy) see Waldorf Answers and here.

[northernrefugee39]

Yawn.....

[isenhart7]

mamatilly-Waldorf Kindergartens do not begin formal instruction in math, reading, and writing in the Preschool/Kindergarten. You might want to check in with the school you would eventually be transferring to and see what their expectations are for entering the grades. Also, in many cases the classrooms will be mixed age, f.e. 3-6 year olds.

[northernrefugee39]

"pedagogical theory" "formal intruction" lol

[wilderduck]

Not again. Quack quack endlessly amongst yourselves, oh whores of Steiner.

lowrib - good on you. This is the only thing I have left to add to this debate.

It isn't much but at least it's funny.

[isenhart7]

Another thing to consider when comparing schools-if a focus on one thing might come at the expense of another. You mention focus on the outdoors and celebration of the magic of festivals, which, IMO, means a curriculum in keeping with the natural cycles, rhythms, and seasons of the year. What it won't include are all the cultural themes that you can find in mainstream, and sometimes in other alternative, pre-schools.

So, for example, here in the States, in February, school children, including most pre-schoolers celebrate St. Valentine's day along with George Washington's birthday, Abe Lincoln's Birthday and National Children's Dental Health Month. The Waldorf tykes get to exchange Valentines but that's about it-so if you think about it there may actually be more celebrating going on in the mainstream! Another thing is that your child could be exposed to the some of the same themes as he/she will have in the lower grades 4-5 times by the time they get out of pre-school which could be considered a real advantage.

[isenhart7]

Another thing to consider, mamatilly, if you do decide to send your child to a Steiner/Waldorf Kindergarten and you have a positive experience, as I have, then you may look forward to being called names such as "moron of the highest order" and "whore of Steiner" in the future. Best of luck to you on your journey!