waldorf steiner

[heninthemidden]

hi,

anyone had good experience of waldorf steiner education system?

Pilgrim, I think as long as we don't quote any of Steiner and we just type our experiences within the school then maybe that will be OK.

Disenchanted, why on earth can't we quote the teachings of Steiner?

I think the important thing is to avoid making any comments which could be argued to be libellous, as that is likely to get the comments and possibly the whole thread deleted. I totally understand MNHQs problems on this subject, and empathise with how parents who've had a bad time find it tricky to moderate their comments, which is why I tend to come onto these threads as someone not personally affected, but who was involved in some of the long and contentious threads and was very surprised and concerned about the experiences people had.

I think the question of why Steiner Waldorf feel such a need to ensure that all internet debate about them is cleased of allegedly libellous material is an interesting one. Of course all organisations are concerned for their reputation, but they do this to an extent I consider extreme.

However, there are websites which contain open criticism of Steiner Waldorf education and the philosophy behind it, and I would very much advise anyone considering it to look at all sides of the debate and consider the motivations of those involved before making a decision.

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Oh dear, I was trying to keep away from this thread.

If parents like Disenchantedgnomie are still going through the same problems that myself and countless others on here have gone through and are not allowed to speak about it where does it leave poor Disenchanted and her daughter?

This is absolutely why we should still be allowed to talk about bloomin Steiner!

Unless Steiner/Waldorf/Anthroposophy fully discloses what they really stand for then they must understand the problem isn't going to go away.

what's wrong with believing in fairies?

"what's wrong with believing in fairies?"

It's a delusion.

I was being impish

Phew

There was a good article at the Guardian a while ago, the comments are very revealing....
Guardian

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Blimey thanks for your support.

OK to answer some of the questions:

TheRationalist - I am still in desperately trying to get out

Pilgrim - I was lurking on the Steiner postings last year and I noticed that it seemed to be all quotes from Steiner that were deleted among a few of the parents own views about Steiner himself. I am guessing that as long as we can talk about our experiences then we are OK? Hopefully someone will be able to let us know if this is acceptable.

TheRationalist - Thanks it was that very link that got me to come back here and revisit some of the old posts and I then found this one. It is without doubt that I must congratulate Northern et al for keeping this alive wherever possible.

Theres so many potential parents who will embark upon this journey of free education and the majority will get through without any problems but there will be others who have NOT seen the light just yet and/or never will! And I know there is quite a few who have left feeling used, numb, unwanted or disenchanted!

Disenchanted, are you able to leave, do you feel you have to give a terms notice?

You don't owe them anything, you are paying for an education and they're not providing one.

Hi Disenchantedgnomie I agree with TheRationalist, you don't have to pay or serve a terms notice, they're not giving your daughter the education they advertised.
Walk.

Your description of the mothers who are at the beginning of this little journey reminds me of a description I read at the critics - they call them the 'brides of Steiner'!
I was one once

It may be worth drawing your attention to the recent Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship newsletter

I wonder when we will have the pleasure of their company...

'Brides of Steiner' - that's hilarious! Must look that up.
Although I can't mention it to DH as he still turns purple whenever THAT place is mentioned.

We moved on three years ago and I still carry the guilt that I took my DCs from a perfectly good mainstream school and plunged them in to a world of teachers always being right, bullying being the child's karma and bad behaviour being tolerated as long as the child showed due reverence to the 'candle.'

I think it's very telling that the two positive posters are kindie parents - the system seems to get more wierd and ruthless the older the child gets, and also I think you can forgive a lot when your child is surrounded by such loveliness.

I' m very surprised that someone said they had books in their kindie - this is definitely not normal in a Steiner school.

Gnomie I hope you get things sorted out - it's true, if they're not educating your child you shouldn't have to pay.
I know someone who was contemplating suing them for all the fees she'd paid.

Wow. It seems very apparent to me that the recent posters, from Pilgrim on, have a serious axe to grind and this thread just turned into their party. How disrespectful to the original thread!

A few points before I leave, thoroughly insulted.

Firstly, to Pruners, I don't find that the Steiner I've read contradicts the school environment. This will be a matter of individual opinion, not a statement of fact.

Secondly, Barking, I've never known a Steiner/Waldorf school, either here or in America, which attempted to hide its roots in Steiner philosophy. They are called Steiner Schools, for goodness sake.

Finally, as I mentioned previously, one's beliefs are not relevant to me with regards to education theory. It's the success or failure of the method that is relevant. To question (or ridicule) peoples beliefs, or demand that they reveal them, is too much of "windows into mens' souls."

Adieu.

The teachings of Rudolph Steiner and the aim of Steiner education is to obtain knowledge of 'higher worlds' through clairvoyance.
Here is the teacher training reading list:

[RUDOLF STEINER COLLEGE]
FOUNDATION YEAR BOOK LIST 1993-94

The following books will be read and discussed durng the year. You will
need to have your own copy of the books marked *. The rest, and others the
faculty will suggest, may be purchased or borrowed from the library.

Psych 101 The Nature of the Human Being: Microcosm/Macrocosm

Rudolf Steiner, Theosophy*
Rudolf Steiner, Calendar of the Soul*
Rudolf Steiner, The Younger Generation
Lit 100 Parsifal

W. von Eschenbach. Parzival (Mustard and Passage translation)*
Rene Querido, The Mystery of the Holy Grail: A Modern Path of Initiation*
Steven Roboz, ed., The Holy Grail
Rudolf Steiner, The Search for the Holy Grail
SS 101 Biography, Life Cycles and the Meaning of Existence

Bernard Lievegoed, Phases*
Beredene Jocelyn. Citizens of the Cosmos
Gisela and George O'Neil, The Human Life
SS 104 The Festivals

Rudolf Steiner. The Cycle of the Year as a Breathing Process
Rudolf Steiner, The Festivals and Their Meaning
Rudolf Steiner. The Four Seasons and the Archangels
Hist 102 Rudolf Steiner: His Life and Work

Rudolf Steiner. The Course of My Life
Robert A. McDermott. ed.. The Essential Steiner
Stewart Easton, Man and World in the Light of Anthroposophy
Stewart Easton, Rudolf Steiner: Herald of a Modern Consciousness
Hist 103 Evolution of Consciousness through Art

Gottfried Richter, Art and Human Consciousness*
Psych 100 Knowledge of the Higher Worlds

Rudolf Steiner, Knowledge of the Higher Worlds and its Attainment*
Rudolf Steiner, Foundation Stone*
F.W. Zeylemans, The Foundation Stone
Phil 103 World Evolution and Spiritual Development

Rudolf Steiner, Occult Science*
Rudolf Steiner, The Spiritual Hierarchies*
Lit 160 English and American Literature

An anthology of readings is provided for the class.
Phil 102 Christology

Rudolf Steiner, Spiritual Guidance of Man*
Rudolf Steiner, Christianity as Mystical Fact
Phil 100 Philosophy of Freedom

Rudolf Steiner. Philosophy of Freedom*
FA 100 Eurythmy

Rudolf Steiner, A Lecture on Eurythmy
Rudolf Steiner, An Introduction to Eurythmy
Marjorie Spock, Eurythmy
Ed 100 Introduction to Waldorf Education

Rudolf Steiner, Kingdom of Childhood*
Rudolf Steiner, Education of the Child in the Light of Spiritual Science*
Hist 110 America in the Light of Spiritual Science

An anthology of readings is provided for the class.
Psych 102 Karma and Reincarnation

Rudolf Steiner, Manifestations of Karma*
Rudolf Steiner, Reincarnation and Karma*
Rudolf Steiner, Karmic Relationships, Volumes 1-8
Rene Querido, Questions and Answers on Reincarnation and Karma*

I sincerely hope parents have looked at some of these texts rather than Free to Learn and You are your Child's First Teacher......

It puts the idea that they "don't teach anthoposophy" into an interesting perspective, doesn't it? They may not be teaching it, but their entire teacher training is built on its ideas...

This thread is so interesting and calm compared to the awful threads from last year!

I also agree that it is very telling about positive experiences being to do with children in kindie - I definitely think it gets weirder the longer you are involved and discover things

zazizoma - I am glad you have a positive viewpoint of steiner schools atm, but for you and your childrens sake I hope you become enlightened soon!

Gnomie - I hope you get your kids out soon. Perhpaps you could home educate for a few months before you find a school more to your liking. Good luck!

TheRationalist - That list of books is amazing! OMG no wonder the anthros are rather um....... odd

Free to learn and you are your childs first teacher bear no relation to that lot of books