Rudolf Steiner History

Rudolf Steiner schools had their beginnings in the midst of the social chaos of Germany in 1919.  Rudolf Steiner created a school which would enable the children to develop personal capacities in such a way that they would have the strength, integrity and hope, to work for a positive economic, political and spiritual future.

The first school, known as the Free Waldorf School, grew rapidly to a thousand pupils, from kindergarten to high school.  Soon, other schools opened in various parts of Europe and world wide.  Recognition of the value of these schools has spread so that in some countries, such as Denmark, Norway and parts of Germany, they obtain full financial support from their governments.

There are 10 Waldorf/Steiner schools and 24 Steiner kindergartens currently operating in New Zealand.

Recommended Reading List

The Genius of Play – Celebrating the Spirit of Childhood, Sally Jenkinson 

You are Your Child’s First Teacher, Rahima Baldwin 

Free to Learn – Introducing Steiner Waldorf Education, Lynn Oldfield 

The Parent and Child Group Handbook - A Steiner Waldorf Approach, Dot Male 

Heaven on Earth – A handbook for parents of Young Children, Sharifa Oppenheimer 

Adventures in Steiner Education, Brien Masters 

An Introduction to Steiner Education, Francis Edmunds 

Understanding Waldorf Education, Jack Petrash 

The Developing Child, Willi Aepplli 

Waldorf Parenting Handbook, Lois Cusick 

Questions and Answers in Rudolf Steiner Education, Roy Wilkinson 

Steiner Education in Theory and Practice, Gilbert Childs 

School as a Journey, Torin Finser 

Waldorf Schools - Upper Grades and High School, Ruth Pusch (ed.) 

Between From and Freedom, Betty Staley 

Adolescence, Betty Staley, 

Simplicity Parenting, Kim John Payne