In today’s post, we’re gonna be talking about how to bring Waldorf into homeschooling. Let’s start by saying true Waldorf arises out of a tradition called Anthroposophy. This term means “the wisdom of the human being.” It combines Greek “anthropos,” meaning “human,” with “sofia,” meaning “wisdom.” In other words, true Waldorf Education arises out of the reality of the human being. Therefore, you cannot separate true Waldorf Education from Anthroposophy. (I use the word “true” because there is much out there calling itself “Waldorf” which strays further and further from its roots).
Anthroposophy sees us as beings nested within a context of relationships comprising the four kingdoms of nature. It’s similar in to many of the indigenous worldviews that have lived on our planet since time immemorial with perhaps one subtle nuance. The four kingdoms are:
- The stones or beings of form
- Plants or beings of life
- Animals or beings of sentience
- Humans or beings of self-consciousness.
We are unique in this order in that we contain the three other kingdoms within us. This geometry underlies much of the curriculum. If you want to bring Waldorf into homeschooling, you have to start with Anthroposophy.
The Inner Part of Bringing Waldorf Into Homeschooling
There are two parts to this: the inner and outer. Anthroposophy challenges us with the admonition inscribed above the entrance to the ancient Oracle of Delphi: “Know Thyself.” Knowing thyself takes self discipline. So, the inner part of bringing Waldorf into homeschooling means doing your work to command your willing, feeling, and thinking. You, the parent, have to become the master of your own chariot and control your deeds and manage your feelings. You also have to master your thoughts.
Here’s an example. Let’s say you have a 5-year old child. The task at this age is to communicate to him or her that the world is essentially good. Yet, you have challenging neighbors who may be helpful in a pinch but are otherwise standoffish and maybe even rude. What do you do? If you let on how much it bothers you, your child will absorb this. Though you may have legitimate gripes, your child’s “education” demands you filter that and focus, instead, on that time they helped you fix a leak in your roof, or whatever. This is no easy task as a homeschooler who spends the vast majority of their time with their children. At least teachers get to send the children home at 3pm and reflect on the day. Thus, homeschool parents – especially with any sort of challenging situation – are called to a high standard of self-mastery. Don’t neglect this.
The Outer Part of Bringing Waldorf Into Homeschooling
The outer part of bringing Waldorf into homeschooling is studying child development. What we teach arises out of the developmental stage of the child. This is why, for example, when a 5-year old asks me why it rains, I will say, “I wonder.” I don’t want to overstimulate his/her intellect a this age but let them stay in the wonder. When that same child at 7 or 8 asks me the same thing, I will give a truthful metaphor. Instead of using terms like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, I will tell a story of water faeries who get hot in a pond one summer day. They decide to go for a flight to cool off, but it gets rather cold up high. So, they huddle together in a cloud, but so many of them huddle they end up falling to earth as a raindrop. This is a true law clothed in imaginative pictures appropriate for the 1st or 2nd grader. Once that same child reaches 13 or 14, then I explain it again using the water cycle.
Anthroposophy helps us meet our children where they are. I could spend months or even years sharing with you all I’ve learned in this regard, and not 1/1000th of it could fit in this post. It is a lifelong path that takes time.
That’s why we’ve created a regenerative, Steiner-based curriculum for grades 5-8. It includes prerecorded and live lessons inviting students to deepen their reverence for nature and the living reality that permeates it. We teach all academic subjects plus creative writing and language arts, empowerment groups for teens, and soon to add fine arts. We offer free sample lessons if you’re curious.
What’s at Stake
We live in a world of natural laws governing both the material and immaterial. When we understand and create in harmony with them, we foster the health of body, soul, and spirit. When we ignore, disregard, or otherwise disrespect these laws, we create the conditions for illness.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions, which is why colorful silks and beeswax crayons are neither enough nor necessary to bring true Waldorf into homeschooling. We can also characterize evil in one way as the right thing at the wrong time. Here’s an example: teaching children about sex at age 4 vs. 14. I don’t think I need to explain that one. Our goal must therefore be to bring the right thing at the right time.
The human is a being in process of becoming whole. We are like a plant developing and transforming from seed to sprout to leaves, bud, blossom, pistil/stamen, fruit, and new seed. Things have to happen in a process, and steps cannot be rushed. Anthroposophy gives us the roadmap of that glorious becoming, thus why if we wish to bring Waldorf into homeschooling, we must start there.
How to Connect
This post arose directly from a parent’s question. We are willing to write future posts on specific topics relating to how Anthroposophy can inform our homeschooling and even our own spiritual practice as parents. If you’d like to suggest or request a topic, Contact Us. We’d love to hear from you.
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