Description An experiment in its eighth decade, with more than sixty thousand students attending five hundred schools worldwide, Waldorf education is the largest and fastest growing independent, nonsectarian school movement in the world. The more than one hundred and fifty Waldorf schools in North America appear to be but the beginning of a rapid growth that will almost certainly be continued by the next generation. This volume is intended as a companion to educators and parents, both inside and outside the Waldorf school movement, who want to explore Steiner’s intuitive and spiritual-scientific research concerning child development and, in particular, the positive and negative forces affecting that development in a culture that puts children at risk. — Robert McDermott (from the foreword) Waldorf education—an established and growing independent school movement—continues to be shaped and inspired by Rudolf Steiner’s numerous writings and lectures on education and child development. In Rhythms of Learning, key lectures on children and education have been thoughtfully chosen from the vast amount of material by Steiner and presented in a context that makes them reader-friendly and accessible. In his many discussions and lectures, Steiner shared his vision of education that considers the spirit, soul, and physiology in children as they grow. Roberto Trostli, a seasoned Waldorf teacher, has selected the works that best illustrate the fundamentals of this unique approach. In each chapter, Trostli explains Steiner’s concepts and describes how they work in the contemporary Waldorf classroom. We learn how the teacher–child relationship and the Waldorf school curriculum changes as the students progress from kindergarten through high school. Rhythms of Learning is an excellent resource for parents who want to understand how their child is learning. Parents will also be more prepared to discuss their child’s education with teachers, and teachers will find it to be a valuable reference source and communication tool. C O N T E N T S: Foreword Preface to the Revised Edition Introduction: A Seed for the Future 1. The Foundations of Waldorf Education The Education of the Child in the Light of Spiritual Science 2. Teacher and Child The Four Temperaments Understanding Children’s Temperaments Gratitude, Love, and Duty 3. The Waldorf Kindergarten: The World of the Young Child Walking, Speaking, Thinking 4. The First School Years: From Whole to Part Children from the Seventh to Tenth Years Teaching Children to Write Teaching Arithmetic 5. The Middle Elementary School Years: Self and World Zoology and Botany in the Elementary School Nature Study in the Elementary School Teaching Geography 6. The Upper Elementary School Years: Cause and Consequence The Child at Twelve Teaching in the Upper Grades Teaching History 7. The High School Years: Adolescence—the Quest for Self Working with Adolescents 8. The Arts in Waldorf Education: The Jewels in the Crown Education through Art An Introduction to Eurythmy
