Part-time Courses
Three Year Part-time Course in Rudolf Steiner Education
Awakening the child to love and wisdom
Our part-time course offers a range of subjects
which are based upon Rudolf Steiner's philosophy. This philosophy,
named Anthroposophy, described the world as a beautiful and meaningful
expression of the interaction of the spiritual world with the
free human being living in a material body.
By recognising ourselves as divine beings, we can
use the gifts of objectivity and clear thought derived from modern
science and art to bring new meaning into life.
Rudolf Steiner education aims at educating the child
through a balance of practical, artistic and academic activities.
Its methods work with the child's developing consciousness as
it moves, step by step, through the Rudolf Steiner curriculum.
This certificate course runs over three years with
an optional on-going fourth year offering Anthroposophical studies.
The course is run for interested parents, grandparents and members
of the community who wish to understand the philosophy and educational
curriculum - it is not only for teachers. Anyone interested in
children's literature, arts, Rudolf Steiner's philosophy and in
sharing experiences and perceptions is welcome to participate.
Each evening includes an artistic activity (changing each term)
and study of basic educational principles.
Curriculum Outline
First Year Subjects
Study of the Epochs:
During the first two terms we will explore Rudolf Steiner's picture
of Human Development as the basis for understanding the child.
Please be certain to have a copy of Steiner's books Theosophy and Knowledge of Higher Worlds for these two terms' works.
In the last two terms the education course will lead the student
through the Epochs taught in the primary and middle Schools:
Fairy Tales, Animal Fables
Myths & Legends
Early Biblical Times
Greek & Roman History
Roman Britain, Middle Ages
Exploration of the New World
These Epochs illustrate the evolution of human consciousness
that stands behind the curriculum and are carried by the teacher
through daily story-telling to the children in classes one through
eight.
Artistic Activities:
Eurythmy - An introduction to the basic principles
of eurythmy. To encourage an appreciation of the depth and potential
of this art form.
Singing - Includes singing in unison, in rounds and in
two and three parts.
Speech - The creative power of speech and its connection
with form, rhythm and movement is experienced as a process of
development through active participation.
Painting - To enhance the participants' creative ability
and stimulate their fantasy and to gain a basic knowledge of colour
and the painting techniques used in Steiner Education.
Second Year Subjects
An Introduction to Anthroposophical Studies
An introduction to the breadth of Rudolf Steiner's ideas concerning
the nature of the human being and the role of the human being
in the universe. To help students re-examine their present philosophy
of life and to develop this further.
Subject is taken all of second year.
Artistic Activities:
Form Drawing works with the straight and
curved line in repeated and metamorphosed sequences suited to
the child's stage of consciousness, with an emphasis on the process.
This leads to an experience of geometry and the discovery of geometric
laws and ratios in the universe including sacred geometry.
BioDynamics An introduction to the theory of sustainable
agricultural and horticultural practices. A brief look at Rudolf
Steiner's principles and practice of BioDynamics. To open your
heart to the mysteries of the natural world.
Folk Dancing To enhance the students self-awareness and
sense of personal well-being through movement repertoire.
Craft Handwork is an important part in our curriculum providing
a balancing element with the intellectual activities leading to
the harmonious development of the child. Rudolf Steiner indicated
that a sense for beauty and colour was a learned rather than an
innate sense and can be nurtured in the young child.
Third Year
Participants now divide into their specific areas of interest:
Early Childhood; or
Primary Class Teaching
and will follow the Rudolf Steiner Curriculum with experienced
teachers who are currently working in each of these levels.
Artistic Activities will include the following
and others appropriate to your area of study:
Recorder - Participants learn to play the
basic notes required for teaching beginners recorder in the class
room; learn correct fingering; learn to become conscious of the
simple musicality required when working with young children; learn
to play a variety of melodies suitable for the primary school
child.
Bothmer Gymnastics - Its place within an Anthroposophical
education. A study of movements, exercises, skills and games that
are appropriate to the developing stages of the child.
Mathematics - Commences with an investigation into the
quality of numbers as individual entities and progresses into
the arithmetic process, taught firstly in the younger years through
imaginative and rhythmic work and later through the historical
development and practical application of mathematics.
Puppet Making and Story Telling - A teacher must primarily
be a story teller - an artist in the communication of knowledge.
Students practise this art of communication and are asked to find
the stories that best fulfill the needs of the growing inner life
at each stage of childhood. Participants make a three string silk
marionette. They learn the use of colour in defining character
and stage a puppet play for the benefit of other participants
in the part-time course.
Recommended Reading:
The Education of the Child in the Light of Anthroposophy - Rudolf Steiner
Foundations of Human Experience - Rudolf Steiner
Phases of Childhood - Bernard Lievegoed
For more details about this course please contact us.
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