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14 lectures, Ilkeley, England, August 5–17, 1923 (GA 307), Foundations of Waldorf Education series, vol. 17

 In this fine introduction to Waldorf education, written out of a series of lectures given in 1924, Steiner provides one of the most comprehensive introductions to his pedagogical philosophy, psychology, and practice. Steiner begins by describing the union of science, art, religion and morality, which was the aim of all his work and underlies his concept of education.

Against this background, many of the lectures describe a new developmental psychology. On this basis, having established how children's consciousness develops, Steiner discusses how different subjects should be presented so that individuals can grow and flourish inwardly. Only if the child absorbs the right subject in the right way at the right time can the inner freedom so necessary for life in the modern world become second nature.

Contents:

Introduction by Christopher Bamford
Science, Art, Religion, Morality
The Principles of Greek Education
Greek Education and the Middle Ages
Spirit’s Relationship to the Body
Freeing Volition in the Human Organism
Walking, Speaking, Thinking
Rhythm, Sleep, Imitation
Reading, Writing, Nature Study
Arithmetic, Geometry, History
Physics, Chemistry, Handwork, Language, Religion
Memory, Temperaments, Physical Education, Art
Education toward Inner Freedom
The Three Eras of Human Religious Education
Closing Address

Translated by Jesse Darrell, Robert Lathe & Nancy Whitaker, George Adams, and
Frederick Amrine

Available for download as an eBook in a pdf file and in print from Dr. Rudolf Steiner Bookstore