The Kingdom of Childhood
Introductory Talks on Waldorf Education
7 lectures (with questions & answers) by Rudolf Steiner in Torquay, England

The Kingdom of Childhood consists of seven intimate, aphoristic talks on Waldorf Education given by Rudolf Steiner to a small group on his last visit to England in 1924. Perhaps because they were originally given to pioneers, dedicated to the project of opening a Waldorf school, they have always been considered one of the best introductions to the anthroposophical approach to education. Steiner shows how essential it is for teachers to work upon themselves — to transform their natural gifts — and to use humor to keep their teaching lively and imaginative. Above all, he stresses the grave importance of doing everything in the light of the knowledge of the child as a citizen of the spiritual as well as the earthly world.

The talks give several practical illustrations and revolve around certain themes: the need for observation in the teacher; the dangers of stressing the intellect; the need in younger children for what is concrete and pictorial; the education of the soul through wonder and reverence; and the difference it makes when the imagination first grasps a whole so that the parts then later enter into their proper relation.

Trans: H. Fox, revised
7 lectures with questions and answers, Torquay, England, 12 - 20 Aug 1924, GA311
Anthroposophic Press
160pp; paperback
ISBN: 0 88010 402 3
 

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) called his spiritual philosophy 'anthroposophy', which he defined as 'the consciousness of one's humanity', and the disciplined methods of studying this he termed ‘spiritual science’.  As a highly developed clairvoyant and spiritual initiate, he spoke from his direct cognition of the spiritual world. However, he did not see his work as religious or sectarian, but rather sought to found a universal 'science of the spirit'.

His many published works (written books and lectures) - which include his research into the spiritual nature of the human being, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods of personal development - invite readers to develop their own spiritual faculties.  He also provided indications for the renewal of many human activities, including education - both general and special - agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, religion and the arts. He wrote some 30 books and delivered over 6000 lectures across Europe, and in 1924 founded the General Anthroposophical Society which today has branches throughout the world.
 

Copyright © 2003 Skylark Books