Now that the children of the hippy generation are all grown up, educational trends seem to have come full-circle. Where more liberal methods were all the rage in the 80s, stricter, more traditional teaching styles and ‘hot housing’ are gaining popularity once more, and for some parents this is a worrying trend.
How can you create a less hurried, more rounded learning environment for your child in a fast-paced world? The Steiner method is one of the most established educational philosophies that allows children to discover the world at their own pace, and in many ways it can be seen as a form of Slow Education.
Not every child can enjoy the benefits of a full Steiner education, but its basic principles extend far beyond the classroom, and can be used by parents to help children learn and grow at home.
The Steiner method essentially lets children take the lead in where they want their learning to go, giving natural aptitudes and interests the chance to develop naturally. It sits at odds with the idea that early specialisation breeds academic success, and aims to develop children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, cultural and spiritual needs equally.
There are many ways that this philosophy can be put into practice at home, but a few important guidelines are:
Let your child be a child. Let him or her enjoy the richness of childhood without feeling the need to grow up too fast. Some parents worry if their children seem less mature than their peers, but unless there is a definite cause for concern, such as not developing speech within a normal age range, then they are probably just enjoying this precious time that’s over much too quickly for all of us.
Answer your child’s questions. Many parents tire of their children’s constant questioning on every small detail of life, but this natural curiosity is where learning starts, and it should be nurtured wherever possible. If an answer is not within your capabilities, take your child to the library and help him or her find the answer.
Think about the five principles of the Steiner method and make sure that none of these areas are neglected: physical, emotional, intellectual, cultural and spiritual.
If you’d like to know more about the principles of Steiner education, Lynne Oldfield’s Free To Learn is a useful title, available on Amazon.
Image: Kevin Krejci
