Abstract
Chapter 3 introduced some of the key characteristics of the Steiner Waldorf teaching approach and methods, as well as an outline of the curriculum as followed in most Waldorf Schools, with acknowledgment that there are local variations. Such a brief introduction and outline however only gives a superficial picture of the deep and complex relationships, activities, meanings, processes and outcomes at work in a Waldorf School and its associated community. A form of education that is holistic in nature and underpinned by a detailed philosophy requires a big picture perspective to understand the whole as more than the sum of its parts. While this book aims to be able to determine what might be the essence of Waldorf Education that may be found in any school around the world, this chapter firstly introduces and discusses some of the aspects of Waldorf Schools that make them unique and different to other forms of schooling. In doing so, the chapter aims to identify and discuss some of the reasons why this form of education not only remains relevant today but continues to flourish and grow from its initial roots in 1919.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Carlgren, Frans 1972/1976, Education Towards Freedom: Rudolf Steiner Education, A survey of the work of Waldorf Schools throughout the world, England: Lanthorn Press.
Childs, Gilbert 1991, Steiner education in theory and practice, Edinburgh: Floris Books.
Christakis, Erika 2018, “The dangers of distracted parenting”, The Atlantic, July/August https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/07/the-dangers-of-distracted-parenting/561752/ (accessed 18/6/19).
Clouder, Christopher & Rawson, Martyn 1998, Waldorf Education, Edinburgh: Floris Books.
Colum, Padraic 2012, The King of Ireland’s Son, Edinburgh: Floris Books (first published in 1916).
Dahlin, Bo 2017, Rudolf Steiner: The Relevance of Waldorf Education, Switzerland: Springer.
Dugan, D 1998, Nature table or altar?, http://www.waldorfcritics.org/ (accessed 18/6/19).
Friends of Waldorf Education 2001, Waldorf Education Worldwide, Stuttgart: Freunde der Erziehungskunst—Rudolf Steiners e.V. https://www.freunde-waldorf.de/en/the-friends/publications/waldorf-education-worldwide/.
Hague Circle—International Forum for Steiner Waldorf Education 2016, Key characteristics of Waldorf education, Dornach: Pedagogical Section at the Goetheanum.
Hahn, Herbert 1958, ‘Foreword’, in Steiner, Rudolf 1958, A social basis for education, Forest Row: Steiner Schools Fellowship Publications.
Howe, Neil 2017, ‘Millennials: A Generation of Page-Turners’, Forbes Magazine, January 16, https://www.forbes.com/sites/neilhowe/2017/01/16/millennials-a-generation-of-page-turners/#64e36af81978 (accessed 12/6/19).
Khoshkhesal, V 1995, ‘Grace before meals’, Education Australia, No 32, pp. 13–15.
Louv, Richard 2005, Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder, New York: Algonquin Books.
Poplawski, Thomas 1998, Eurythmy: Rhythm, dance and soul, Edinburgh: Floris Books.
Samuel, RH & Hinton, TR 2003, Education and Society in Modern Germany, London: Routledge.
Stehlik, Tom 2015, Each parent carries the flame: Waldorf Schools as sites for promoting lifelong learning, creating community and educating for social renewal, 2nd edition, Adelaide: Mylor Press.
Stehlik, Tom 2018, Educational philosophy for 21st Century Teachers, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan.
Steiner, Rudolf 1947, The spiritual ground of education, Lectures given at Oxford in 1922, London: Anthroposophical Publishing Company.
Steiner, Rudolf 1970, Education as an art, edited by Paul M Allen, New York: Rudolf Steiner Publications.
Steiner, Rudolf 1981, The renewal of education through the science of the spirit: Lectures given in 1920, UK: Steiner Schools Fellowship.
Steiner, Rudolf 1997a, The roots of education, New York: Anthroposophic Press.
Steiner, Rudolf 1997b, The essentials of education, New York: Anthroposophic Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Stehlik, T. (2019). What Makes Waldorf Education Different?. In: Waldorf Schools and the History of Steiner Education. Palgrave Studies in Alternative Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31631-0_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31631-0_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-31630-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-31631-0
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)