Nurturing the child's mind, body and spirit through Steiner education

MANILA, Philippines - What is education that is truly child-friendly? Is there a secular, non-denominational curriculum that nurtures not only a child’s mind and body, but the child’s soul and spirit-nature? How can we authentically prepare our children to face the unique challenges that the future brings?

Waldorf or Steiner education may be the answer. Developed out of the ideas of Austrian philosopher and social thinker Rudolf Steiner, Steiner education is a social impulse not only to renew education but to also transform society through an age-appropriate pedagogy that educates the hands (purposeful willing/doing), the heart (engaged, balanced feeling), and the head (creative thinking), leading to the development of the whole human being.

In the Philippines, the first Waldorf kindergarten opened in 1994 and the first grade school in 1996. It has since evolved to the Manila Waldorf School, which now has classes up to high school. Smaller schools have sprouted throughout the Philippines: Acacia School in Santa Rosa, Laguna up to Grade 6; Gamot Cogon in Iloilo up to Grade 7; and Steiner-inspired initiatives in Baguio; Lubao, Pampanga; Makati City; Talisay, Negros Occidental; and Cagayan de Oro.

This March and April, a 13-day “Intensive Beginner’s Course in Waldorf/Steiner Early Childhood Education” will be offered to the public. The two-part course is for parents, school administrators, curriculum developers, teachers, and other individuals interested in age-appropriate early childhood education and in personal development.

Rarely is the course given in the Philippines, facilitated by the pioneers of Anthroposophy and Waldorf education in the country, Bella and Jake Tan.

“Part 1: Foundation Studies” presents the principles of Anthroposophy, around which the ideas of Steiner education are based. It gives an overview of the introductory books written by Rudolf Steiner, as well as how the arts, sciences, education, agriculture, medicine, architecture have been permeated and transformed by the impulse of Anthroposophy. The basis for Waldorf education, bio-dynamic agriculture, eurythmy, anthroposophic art, medicine, etc are explained. It will be given over four days, March 12-13 and 19-20, and serves as a pre-requisite to “Part 2: Waldorf Early Childhood Studies.” However “Part 1: Foundation Studies” may be taken independently of Part 2. Fee is P5,000 excluding meals.

“Part 2: Waldorf Early Childhood Studies,” to be held over nine days, April 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, delves specifically with the Waldorf curriculum, with special emphasis on the development of the Child from conception to 7 years. Topics include biography work, preparing yourself and your kindergarten, introduction to singing, recorder playing, wet-on-wet painting, eurythmy, speech, clay modeling, storytelling, doll- and toy-making. Fee is P10,000, excluding meals.

Experts Grace Zozobrado-Hahn (Eurythmy) , Kathryn Carpenter-Perlas (Form drawing), and Reimon Gutierrez (Art), will also conduct modules. 

Completion of the entire course qualifies attendees to participate in follow-up courses to enhance knowledge, capacity, and skills. For those who will begin a playgroup/kindergarten, or will teach in one, mentors may be invited to observe and give feedback.

Discounts apply if participants sign up for both Parts 1 and 2.

The “Intensive Beginner’s Course in Waldorf/Steiner Early Childhood Education” is organized by the Institute for Steiner’s Ideas in Practice (ISIP) Philippines in cooperation with Rudolf Steiner Education in the Philippines (RStEP). Through the years, ISIP has produced seminars and workshops that deepen the understanding of the work of Rudolf Steiner. Just recently ISIP produced the largest forum on bio-dynamic farming. RStEP, founded in 1994, advocates and propagates Steiner Education throughout the country. RStEP does this through organizing teacher training seminars and courses, workshops, public orientations on the various aspects of Steiner pedagogy.  

The course is open to parents and teachers of young children, school administrators, tutors, Education students, academic, government and NGO professionals and the general public. The course will be held at the ISIP Center, 6241 Palma cor. Mañalac Sts., Poblacion, Makati City, near Rockwell. Call 8994675, text 0917-5577427, or email ISIP.Philippines@ yahoo.com for inquiries and registration.