The humane education of Waldorf
In this perspective paper I propose to explore the remarkable humanity-centered education designed by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), along with his legacy in the form of the Waldorf schools that still serve children aged 3–18. Steiner was a polymath who could have been influenc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Education |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1332597/full |
| _version_ | 1797291918512619520 |
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| author | Kate Attfield |
| author_facet | Kate Attfield |
| author_sort | Kate Attfield |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this perspective paper I propose to explore the remarkable humanity-centered education designed by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), along with his legacy in the form of the Waldorf schools that still serve children aged 3–18. Steiner was a polymath who could have been influenced by figures including the Roman playwright Terence, a freed slave who valued “humanity,” as well as the 16th Century Humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam, who was in favor of humane education. International Waldorf education is now over 100 years old and Steiner’s focus on educating the human being in a healthy and integrated manner remains central. This paper provides an exploratory overview of Steiner-Waldorf education and offers a critical reflection on issues sometimes raised against its theory and practice. I have interviewed 43 Waldorf teachers from schools in Germany, the US and the UK covering their individual evaluation of human and humane-focused Waldorf pedagogy. The paper concludes that, given external government support, it can remain a visionary movement and a stimulus to other educational systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:44:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b44bd945d0a0462fb9992192442c667a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2504-284X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:44:42Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-b44bd945d0a0462fb9992192442c667a2024-02-29T04:33:40ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2024-02-01910.3389/feduc.2024.13325971332597The humane education of WaldorfKate AttfieldIn this perspective paper I propose to explore the remarkable humanity-centered education designed by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), along with his legacy in the form of the Waldorf schools that still serve children aged 3–18. Steiner was a polymath who could have been influenced by figures including the Roman playwright Terence, a freed slave who valued “humanity,” as well as the 16th Century Humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam, who was in favor of humane education. International Waldorf education is now over 100 years old and Steiner’s focus on educating the human being in a healthy and integrated manner remains central. This paper provides an exploratory overview of Steiner-Waldorf education and offers a critical reflection on issues sometimes raised against its theory and practice. I have interviewed 43 Waldorf teachers from schools in Germany, the US and the UK covering their individual evaluation of human and humane-focused Waldorf pedagogy. The paper concludes that, given external government support, it can remain a visionary movement and a stimulus to other educational systems.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1332597/fullRudolf SteinerWaldorf educationdeveloping free human beingsthree-fold nature of the human beingcreative curriculumeducation for the future |
| spellingShingle | Kate Attfield The humane education of Waldorf Frontiers in Education Rudolf Steiner Waldorf education developing free human beings three-fold nature of the human being creative curriculum education for the future |
| title | The humane education of Waldorf |
| title_full | The humane education of Waldorf |
| title_fullStr | The humane education of Waldorf |
| title_full_unstemmed | The humane education of Waldorf |
| title_short | The humane education of Waldorf |
| title_sort | humane education of waldorf |
| topic | Rudolf Steiner Waldorf education developing free human beings three-fold nature of the human being creative curriculum education for the future |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1332597/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kateattfield thehumaneeducationofwaldorf AT kateattfield humaneeducationofwaldorf |