Description
Reclaim Early Childhood presents a lively overview of the philosophical, developmental and educational foundations of Rudolf Steiner-Waldorf early years education as adaptable, creative and dynamic, informed by a profound respect for the uniqueness of each child.
There is a strong and steady message that education should remove fixed judgements or a static and stuck view of the child or adult learner. Instead, Steiner education is about a state of ‘becoming’… I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
From the foreword by Professor Tina Bruce CBE, Roehampton University
Key Points
- The authoritative and definitive book on Steiner-Waldorf early years education
- An essential sourcebook for educators, student teachers and academics
- Well-researched, up-to-date, inquiry based research on Steiner-Waldorf early years education
- Addresses burning issues such as children’s readiness for literacy
- Compares Steiner-Waldorf pedagogy critically with mainstream early years education
- The two authors – an academic and practitioner – ground the publication in theory as well as good practice
- Illustrated by examples from kindergartens around the world
- Unique in its breadth and depth on the philosophical foundations of early child development and learning
A … challenge is the perception that Steiner settings will not adequately prepare children for school or enable them to learn the academic and technical skills demanded in today’s society. Again, the book makes clear that it is not a question of not teaching literacy, numeracy and information technology but a question of when and how. The early years are considered the time for laying foundations for later academic development. The authors point to growing evidence which supports the notion that working with rather than against the young child’s natural inclinations is not only more enjoyable for them but more effective in the long-term.
Maria Lyons, in New View
Read an extract from the book here: The Educational Principles: Educating to Freehood (Chapter 6) at Early Years Educator (EYE)
Forewords by Tina Bruce CBE, Honorary Professor at Roehampton University, a leading international expert on early childhood and play, and best-selling author, and Joan Almon, Founding Director of the Alliance for Childhood and currently Director of Programs, former co-chair of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America and consultant on early childhood education.
Give this book a chance – I think that you will notice that much of the philosophy evident in Steiner principles sits nicely with what many know to be the right thing for early education now – child-centred, in the moment, mindful experiences to develop skills, dispositions and attitudes for lifelong learning and an appreciation of our world – highly relevant today.
It’s All About Stories blog
The authors
Professor Sebastian Suggate Ph.D. lectures and researches child development, education and educational philosophy at the University of Regensburg, Germany. He is widely published in the academic research literature on early development and learning. Tamara Suggate MSc is a trained psychologist and works in a newly founded Waldorf-Steiner kindergarten as a teaching assistant. Together they are raising four children.
