These talks were given in 1923-three and a half
years after the founding of the first Waldorf school-to
an audience of Swiss school teachers, most of whom have
little knowledge of anthroposophy. This is the context
of these lectures, among Steiner's most accessible on
education. A teacher who attended the lectures wrote in
the Berne School Paper: Every morning, as we listened
anew to Dr. Steiner, we felt we had come closer to him
and understood better what he had to say and how he had
to say it. Daily, we newcomers gathered, asking
ourselves, "Why are more of our colleagues not here? It
is untrue that anthroposophy limits a person, develops
blinkers, or avoids real life.... For step-by-step Dr.
Steiner shows its application to life ... illuminating
the details, disclosing their connection with profound
questions of life and existence." I came to the
conference to stimulate my school work. I found benefit
in abundance. But also, I unexpectedly received a
greater richness for heart and soul-and, from this in
turn shall stream richness for my classes. In other
words, these lectures are ideal for anyone first
approaching Waldorf education. Using language that any
teacher or parent can understand, Steiner goes into the
essentials of his educational philosophy, providing many
examples and anecdotes to convey his meaning. In this
way, against the background of the developing child, he
allows the curriculum and the method of teaching to
emerge as the commonsense conclusion of practical
experience.
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