Steiner/Waldorf Schools - requesting info from those in the know...

[Rantmum]

...anyone know anything about the Steiner/Waldorf school system, pros and cons (particularly with reference to early years/primary education, but any info is good!. Had not really given them too much consideration but have recently moved and met several mothers who speak highly of the their approach.

OOOhhhh Lush- how very un- Steiner if I may say so.
But very nice to have you back.

What's making you so angry?

Everything I've written is our direct experience.
And all the information I've given- and I agree wholeheartedly that alot of Steiner is "shoite" - as you so elequently put it- I have researched- and substantiated.

I was stupid enough not to do this before we embarked on Steiner education- just trusted the school.

As you've said previously- google is your friend. I'm not sure about it being the anthroposophist's friend tho'- they tie themselves in the most terrible knots.
The thing is- when bumpstobabies asks the school- she may be pedaled the same things as all of us dissenters- reincarnation- means a past and a present, head, heart and hands etc, etc, back to the beginning of the thread- the websites and prospectus' that don't mention reincarnation.
See?

lol barking-
Isn't there a taurus typeface- or ...please gnome bold... or fairy light?

bump -I strongly suggest you find out all you can before you join a camphill community, or else you be in for some surprises! but that is not to say they will be bad ones, you just need to be sure of the kind of life you will be living. (like when making any huge lifestyle decision)

some people on this thread will be trying their utmost to persuade you that it is some kind of dark and evil cult, but that is unfair and dangerous, dangerous for all of the good that camphill community does for a lot of people who would not have any kind of life if camphill didn't exist.

houseparenting is a truly wonderful, fulfilling, rewarding and selfless lifestyle choice, but in some respects it also must be one of the hardest ways to live a family. there are many benefits of community living, but people often find themselves in communities when they are escaping from something in their lives. -again this might not be a bad reason as long as you are doing it for all the right reasons also. And above all, know what you are getting into.

I don't think it is very helpful to listen to people who will try their hardest to tell you it is a cult and make you believe that there is a big secret agenda -Steiner has many critics but at the end of the day it is your life and if you choose to learn about anthroplogy and give a huge part of yourself over to caring for children with special needs then you deserve respect and encouragemet.

as for your kids... then only you can decide that is right for them. camphill communities are beautiful environments for children to grow up in, but I believe you must be totally aware of what that kind of life will mean for all of you. they shoul be a big part of the decision making process.

if you find out that it is for you -then go for it, massive respect to you!

camphill community and steiner school, although often come together, are really two seporate tread topics.

I would urge you to spend as much time at camphill as you can before you start deciding. (and perhaps before you get two embroiled with the 'critics')

candle demi- gothic, felt italic,

northern I am neither dumb nor ill-informed, I just simply disagree with you.
you have the atitude that you know so much more than all else but can you not accept that people make different choices? different informed choices.

I feel we are going round in circles but I am still here, I don't know why.....

Do you mean anthroposophy thenew-? although anthropology might be a better option "your life and if you choose to learn about anthroplogy.
I do know about camphill too- all the anthro stuff relates to that in a big way- it's called "curative education". Our school was within a camphill community.
Is your school in a camphill too thenew?

This guy grew up in camphill- there's a bit about it on his biography page.
www.robertsmith-hald.com

oops

why thankyou northern, you are most kind -yes I did make a type error.

Northern Fugee- Ive read and re-read your posts and agree with you that "Google is your friend" ;-) - but I think I have found a remarkable "alternative" search engine and lest we forget - this is is about alternative education.

I typed in "define Steiner ethos" and was suprised at the clarity of response it verbally gave!

You should all try it...( with speakers on of course

www.AksJeeves.org

(don't shoot the messenger)

At your service

www.AksJeeves.org.

robertsmithhald camphill experience

I said "acting dumb"- which is different- I don't think you're dumb atall- I think you've put up some really strong arguments for Steiner, I'm not sure if you embrace the whole thing- or even admit it's there, that's what confuses me.

I'm not writing this to be agreed with- it's not really about agreeing- it's about knowing that anthroposophy is at the root of all steiner organisations- and whether it's open.
And it's not open about it,-that's been established- and is without a shred of doubt- at the centre of their schools- they say it themselves sometimes- in small print or when you really really search. And I think that's morally wrong.

But you haven't once answered either of these points- that's why you confuse me.

oh fgs northern, why are you determined to prevent anyone from seeing any good? fair enough you have had a rough time of it but not fair enough to become so obsessed with converting anyone to your opinions. I feel like trawling the internet to find a positive case study of an adult who grew up in camphill but I can't be bothered -there will be somewhere out there, people who didn't have that kind of experience -times have changed in all walks of life over 20 odd years, and things are most certainly different over there in america, they manage to always do things to the extreme.

go ahead- pick apart what I say, keep up this strange campaign of yours to deter anyone whos utters the word Stei... but I think your attitude has not done you many favours as you do come across bitter and obsessed.

(I do still like you though )

my oxford dictionary doesn't have the word 'anthroposophy' in it - it isn't recognised.

when I asked the teachers they said it was the study of human wisdom - how quaint I thought it all was at the time.

that was to your previous post

poop I've got to go do some parenting now! I will come back and answer your last post northern.

Bitter- nah- angry -amused and entertained by steiner- for sure -amazed- yes - obsessed- I'll go along with- my husband has just said as much and I agree wholeheartedly- I am obsessed at the moment- not with trying to get you to change to my point of view- because - well- that's not my business is it?
But to write what is the true core of steiner education.
And you- and lush- just don't answer the simple things like- do you agree that anthroposophy informs all the curriculum and choices made at a Steiner school? And - do you agree it's not open in the initial stages of finding out about it?
That's all . Blimey- the new- you can't even spell it! How undercover is that!
I'm glad you like me tho- I'm a an evil witch really.
And i do keep saying -I do know there are VERY GOOD THINGS IN STEINER EDUCATION_ LIKE MUSIC, LANGUAGES, GARDENING, KNITTING
I'd love it without the spiritual science anthroposophy bit. Deja vu.
OK?

steiner speech formation

steineriffic!

anthroposophy means study of man (whether this means by extension humans is debatable)

the study of the wisdom of man would be something like anthroposophology, I think.

But is is about 15 years since I studied greek (ek!)

aaargh no I mean anthroposophy means WISDOM of man, NOT study of wisdom of man.

Did you really mean that link lush- ?interesting- www.AksJeeves.org.

the wikepedia one- talks about anthroposophy as believing in a spiritual world that exists and is accessable through inner developpment.

"Define Steiner ethos" comes up with" CHASE Concerns about Anthroposophy and Steiner Education"- an excellent site in my view-says alot of my concerns very well- as the first- and then what follows are prospectus', websites of steiner schools- and WE KNOW they don't tell the WHOLE STORY- THAT IS MY MAIN POINT.
I think you just shot yourself in the foot there lush.

Filly- I think that definition- from the Greek- is quite misleading- 'cos we all know that Steiner meant it to mean a WHOLE lot more. Don't we ? Or maybe some people's research is some what selective.

Hi dittany- thanks for that. I don't mind being called names- really- I'm quite strong...
But I do get fed up with people not addressing the points, or not understanding, or playing at not understanding them...

anthroposophology- good grief- I've got to google that

lush- I'm flattered that you've read and re-read my posts- pick anything up?

Barking- where do you find them? I think it's very unfair that I'm being accused by lush of putting oblique obscure stuff about Steiner into people's heads- and you come up with this stuff.
I've just done some research lush- that's all- like you said at the beginning.
Maybe you don't like the research that was found- it all sounds as mad as a box of frogs doesn't it?

Northern - do you mean my links?

I think what the new says about camphill is very relevant and I agree with much of what she's said. It is quite an intense way to live- but there are some really good things about that sort of community- (except the anthroposophy of course....) There are many house parents and families who live the life very unaware of the anthroposophical roots of Camphill society- and that's quite possible- as it is in the schools- and it can still work to an extent.It's still very much there- in my experience anyway.
Many of the people with learning difficulties find it a rewarding and safe life- living in a family and working on the land or at a craft suits them. There is also another side.
There seem to be plenty of tensions- with all that that brings- and there seems to be a conflict between great freedoms- finacial etc, and great restrictions- the responsibility.