Steiner
Waldorf Steiner – who was he?
Rudolf Steiner was an educational philosopher who was sponsored by the Waldorf factory (which made cigarettes) to design a school for their workers’ children. He came up with an alternative educational system which continues to inspire, with some home-educators applying it in their homes.
The guy wasn’t called Waldorf?
No, it’s an easy mistake to make. He was Rudolf – as in the reindeer.
What is at the core of Steiner education?
At a cursory glance it is another school-based system which recognises children should be given time to play and explore, encouraged to be creative and taught through things they naturally love – such as storytelling, art and movement. However, if you probe more deeply, the education is just one aspect of a quasi-religion Steiner invented called anthroposophy.
Is it fair to say that Steiner was another educationalist who discovered children do best if they can play and be children instead of being forced to behave like trainee accountants from pre-school onwards?
Absolutely. The common thread running through most alternative education systems seems to be they advocate for children learning through play and exploration rather than books. It’s deeply concerning to me that this is now ‘alternative’ rather than an accepted norm. Like others, Steiner realised children should be educated holistically and he was against standardised testing. Another concept of his I like is that children keep the same teacher for years rather than months, allowing them to develop a closer relationship – which is something I enjoy home-schooling my children.
However, unlike other educationalists, Steiner didn’t restrict himself to education, his philosophy extended to spiritual beliefs, astrology and fields such as social Darwinism. His work has a very uncomfortable feel for me personally and I’m sure it’s the same for others. I suspect this is why Steiner schools aren’t nearly as popular or common as Montessori schools – while there are a few Montessori schools within driving distance of my house, there aren’t any Steiner schools, for example.
What do critics of the Steiner system dislike most?
There’s a spectrum of opinions out there. The most difficult for me to read was a blog by a man who’d been through the Steiner schooling system and who considers it cultish. He elucidated how his education had left him angry, depressed and brainwashed; it’s taken him years to overcome its legacy. On an equally terrifying note, is Steiner’s quasi religion (anthroposophy) which contains horrifically racist views and some strange ideas on spirituality that put my teeth on edge.
Have you known anyone who’s used Steiner?
I’ve met some people who went to Steiner schools, one who trained as a Steiner teacher, as well as home-educators who’ve incorporated some of his techniques into their home-schooling.
How did it go for them?
The people who went to Steiner schools were only there for their primary years and they reported it was a fun experience. I found them nice, friendly, open and balanced. The Steiner teacher and home-educators didn’t seem to know anything about Anthroposophy; they’d picked up on a few good ideas which worked for them and hadn’t delved deeper.
In other words, they’d taken the good bits and left the bad bits?
I suppose, but having investigated the system, I wouldn’t want to incorporate it into my home-schooling. If anything I’m doing resembles Steiner, it’s a coincidence and nothing more.
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