The Homeschool Journey

Review: the Kingdom of Childhood

Continuing my series of reviews of basic Waldorf books for parents, I'd like to turn to one of my favorite books, The Kingdom of Childhood by Rudolf Steiner. It actually wasn't written as a book. Rather it is a series of lectures which Steiner gave to the teachers who were going to form the first Waldorf school in Britain. So what we have is translated and put together from hand-written notes taken while he spoke - in German!

 

Thus this isn't the smoothest of books to read - and apparently Steiner was quite lively when he spoke so we of course miss the nuances of his gestures. He also used a blackboard to explain some of the things he was talking about. In this book are included a few sketches but.... well, I am telling you all this so your expectations are suitable adjusted!!

 

But I love this book. I think it is a terrifically warm and friendly introduction to Waldorf education that, though thoroughly steeped in anthroposophy, is both approachable and understandable. AC Harwood in the preface to the 1982 Rudolf Steiner Press edition says of these lectures:

 

He shows ... how essential it is for a teacher to work upon himself, not merely to use his natural gifts but to transform them, to seek for the unsuspected powers in himself, never to become a pedant, but to make ample use of humour and to keep his teaching and himself lively and imaginative. But above all he insists on the grave importance of doing everything in the light of a knowledge of the child as a citizen of the spiritual as well as of the earthly world.

Topics addressed by Steiner in these lectures include: understanding the three stages of childhood; the little child as a sense organ; teaching about nature; Man as synthesis of the whole animal kingdom; the "Main Lesson"; telling stories;the importance of singing; science teaching; handwork; and a lively question and answer session.

In 2006 before I closed my old yahoo group, Waldorf At Home, I led a study of this book. Though the list itself is closed to posts, anyone can visit its archives and access and enormous amount of information. If you go there, you can do a search on "Kingdom of Childhood" and find a wonderful discussion which I am sure will help add to the joy of reading this very fine and important book on Waldorf education. Click here for this yahoo group.

Rudolf Steiner Institute - Summer 2007

We thought we'd pass along this e-mail we received recently in case any of our readers might be interested:

Dear Friends,

 

I want to invite you to participate this July in the Rudolf Steiner Institute experience. The Rudolf Steiner Institute is an educational institution that offers a wide range of learning opportunities to adults who seek to deepen the spiritual foundation of their lives. It is the intention of the Institute to create an open community environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds will feel welcome to experience the spiritually based knowledge of anthroposophy in the context of their own worldview, beliefs, and interests.

 

Bring the whole family! We have outstanding programs for children and adults. The Institute is held at Green Mountain College in beautiful south central Vermont, so you can combine your time at the Institute with a summer vacation in the Green Mountains or by one of Vermont’s beautiful lakes. And to help make it financially possible for you to attend the Institute, the Mid-States Shared Gifting Group of the Rudolf Steiner Foundation has given us a grant that enables us to offer scholarships to residents of the Midwest. Addition financial assistance is also available.

 

At the Institute you will experience a warm and lively community life from morning to night. We offer world relevant courses, taught by an exemplary international faculty, in: Social, Cultural & Ecological Renewal, Spiritual Inquiry, Creativity & the Arts, Education & Parenting, Science & Spirit, as well as Programs for Children & Youth.

We serve healthy, family-style meals lovingly prepared using fresh, wholesome and, whenever possible, organic and locally produced ingredients.

 

The Institute will take place from July 8^th-July 28^th. Come join us this summer. Bring your vital questions and share your unique insights and talents! Whether you come for one, two or three weeks, I think you will find the warmth and depth of the Institute experience to be life transforming.

 

You can contact me with general questions at louisehill@gmail, or you can contact our registrar, Lynn Bufano, at registrar@steinerinstitute.org or 800-774-5191 for registration and financial assistance information. Check out our program and courses at www.steinerinstitute.org.

 

I hope to see you in Vermont!

 

Louise Hill, President

Rudolf Steiner Institute

 

Seven Reasons to Attend the Institute

 

1. To deepen your spiritual understanding of yourself and the world.

2. To find soul replenishment when the demands of work and life leave you depleted.

3. To work with an extraordinary faculty who are making a difference in the world.

4. To find help in meeting the challenges of parenting in today’s world, and to experience a program that supports the whole family.

5. To work with spiritual questions in a space where people from diverse backgrounds feel welcome, respected and free.

6. To look at the events and conditions of our time from a spiritual perspective, and to explore inner activism as an effective way to bring positive change to the world.

7. To deepen your understanding of child development and gain pedagogical insights and artistic activities that enrich you and your children and students.