A Practical Guide to Curative Education

A Practical Guide to Curative Education: The Ladder of the Seven Life Processes

Essentially we do not really have the right to talk about “normality” or “abnormality” in a child’s inner life…. One does not gain much from such labeling…. Particularly in this domain we must refrain from jumping to conclusions and simply look at things as they are.  -Rudolf Steiner, 1924

The last two decades have seen a significant rise in the number of children being diagnosed with mental and behavioral disorders. As yet there is no definitive consensus as to why these disorders are so prevalent in children today, and what this indicates about the world in which we live. Parents and educators now faced with challenges they did not foresee are often ill-equipped to address them.

At the heart of Waldorf Education lies an approach that seeks to meet each individual child on his or her own terms, and yet the new and greater challenges presented by many children today lie outside the traditional training of most teachers. Drawing on the ideas of Rudolf Steiner’s pioneering Curative Education Course, this book goes back to basics and examines the potential benefits of his unique educational approach in today’s classrooms. Robyn Brown, an experienced teacher, has found that it can lead to calmer, more productive learning spaces and children who develop into well-rounded individuals, ready to become responsible and creative citizens.

At a time when even longtime experienced educators are struck by how the dynamics of their classrooms have changed, this is a much needed reminder of a tried and tested approach that can work for every child, and ultimately for our society.

C O N T E N T S:

Preface

1. Breathing
2. Warming
3. Nourishing
4. Secreting
5. Maintaining
6. Growing
7. Regenerating

Bibliography

About the Author

Robyn M. Brown founded Mulberry Farm, A Center for Curative Education in Santa Rosa, CA in 2002. She lives with her wife Kathy, three dogs, four horses, two goats, five ducks, three rabbits, and the world’s oldest cat. She also teaches at various teacher training institutes, offering courses for Waldorf teachers who want to deepen their knowledge of Rudolf Steiner’s curative education work.