Waldorf Education: A Family Guide

by Mary Beth Rapisardo

Waldorf Education finds itself catapulted from its humble beginnings 80 years ago into the midst of the central educational and social issues of this decade.What draws parents and educators toward... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0964783215
• ISBN13: 9780964783218
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Michaelmas Pr
• Length: 221 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Trying to review the book v. the methods...

I am trying to seperate my opinion of the methods described in the book from the book itself. That is not as easy as it sounds! I look forward to a time when I can write a more in depth review but for now I felt it was important to advise potential buyers to look into the Waldorf educational methods and more importantly their philisopical foundations before pursuing more information or purchasing books on the subject. I recommend even a brief web search on Rudolf Steiner, the Waldorf founder, on Theosophists, the movement from which Steiner emerged, and into Steiner's very own movement/philosophy, Anthroposophy. If the ideas put forth in articles concerning these three topics are compatible with your own ideas then I would recommend pursuing information concerning the Waldorf educational methods. This book will be helpful in that search. I received this book at about the same time as a number of other books on edcation, homeschooling, home education and various popular educational methods. We are in the process of learning as it is time to begin our child's education and we must decide whether to teach him exclusively at home or send him to school or some combination. We must also decide by what methods we will teach him or want him to be taught. After a quick look through I concluded that Waldorf methods had some great ideas from which he would benifit but that should a school be our choice I would choose a Waldorf school only with extreme caution. How could I tell without an actual reading? Even the most cursory examination of the various essays in this book told me that this educational method was not based on tradtional Christian beliefs (although many similar values) and seemed libral and New Age. It seemed like a wishy washy version of Christianity. I have come to discover that the origiinal was not based on Christianity at all. Now that I have given a more thorough reading I discover that my impression was based on exact fact! The founder was part of the original New Age philosophy and founded his own philosophy that is absolutely New Age. It is accepting of Christianity but is not Christianity. Now this review is not meant to critize that philosophy or dispute its tenets. I am simply letting potential buyers understand the foundations on which this educational system was developed and if they are agreeable to the potential buyer then I say again that this will be a fine book. Well writen, easy and pleasant to read. I will pull certain ideas and methods from the Waldrof school of thought and will find this book useful in describing what they look like in practice and the idea behind them. I even agree with many of the ideas. I already have another Waldorf based book which I will read and from which I am sure to learn more that I will later use. However, I am finding that much of what I like about Waldorf can be found in other methods of edcation with which I am more comfortable with their foundational philosophy.

very good

It's a very good book to start with if you want to know what Waldorf education is all about.It's also very inspiring so you can get good ideas about things to do with your kids.I like that chapters are written by different authors so that you get a broader picture.I'm very interested in Waldorf education for my kids now!

Another Great Waldorf resource

I thought this book was a great intro to homeschooling Waldorf style. It also gave a look at Waldorf eduaction in the school. Easy to read. Set up well. Covers most of the questions I had. Heather mama of 5

Waldorf Education -- An introduction and a handbook

I can still remember my delight upon unwrapping the package containing "Waldorf Education: A Family Guide" edited by Pamela Fenner and Karen Rivers. It's a beautiful book, filled with wonderful illustrations, and a wealth of helpful text. In this day, when so many books are typeset but never designed, it's refreshing to encounter a book whose visual appearance and form is itself a statement about the need for rhythm and reverence in our lives. "Waldorf Education: A Family Guide" has its origins as a parent handbook for the Marin Waldorf School. It is a compendium of articles on the history and practice of Waldorf education, content of the curriculum, meaning of the festivals, ways to complement the Waldorf school experience at home, understanding of the temperaments, and other topics that should interest current or prospective parents. While this format doesn't permit in-depth consideration of any of these topics, this is more than compensated by the wealth of material on the temperaments, multi-culturalism, rhythm and balance, and the role of spirit and religion.Some of the articles deserve particular mention. Henry Barnes' introduction to Waldorf education ("Learning That Grows with the Learner") is an excellent short summary of how Steiner's observations and theory find expression in the Waldorf School, and John Davy's biographical sketch of Rudolf Steiner will help any newcomer understand how one man could be the source of so much wonderful creative ferment. René Querido's essay on "The Role of Temperament in Understanding the Child" provides vivid examples of how an understanding of temperament can help parents as well as teachers respond to our child's needs:'One Friday [during watercolor painting] there was an accident, and a huge bucket of water got kicked over. What did the melancholics do? They got up and stood in it. The sanguines were immediately standing on their chairs and shouting, 'Ooh -- what is that?' The cholerics rushed out after mops and buckets. What did the phlegmatics do? You may not believe it, but they sat in their chairs and lifted their legs above the water. I got the best lesson in my life.'The book is filled with wonderful gems -- and an excellent bibliography and directory of Anthroposophical resources that will help the eager reader go further. For me, this appendix alone was worth the price of the book -- and will certainly keep me engaged for years to come.In addition to listing books and lectures about Waldorf education by Rudolf Steiner, and other books on Anthroposophy, education, parenting, festivals, music, and crafts there is a comprehensive list of Waldorf teacher training programs, Anthroposophical Society publications and addresses, and references to endeavors working with biodynamic agriculture ("healing the earth", curative work ("soul care for those in need"), medical practice ("treating patients, not symptoms"), health and hygiene ("products for s