This dissertation examined Rudolf Steiner's education theory and his ecological point of view. It also studied anthroposophy, the basis of Steiner's life and his philosophy, and it looked into the eco-education’s viewpoint and its educational metho...
This dissertation examined Rudolf Steiner's education theory and his ecological point of view. It also studied anthroposophy, the basis of Steiner's life and his philosophy, and it looked into the eco-education’s viewpoint and its educational method. It analyzed the native and foreign cases of Valdorf's eco-early childhood education based on its objectives, processes, and the methods of the education. Lastly, based on all these studies that worked on the new eco-early education program, we came up with the gist as follows:
First, this paper examined Steiner's education theory and his ecological point of view. In Steiner's theory, human being is considered a combination of body, soul and mind. He described that all humans go through the following process: a birth of a physical body, a birth of life, a birth of emotional body, and then formation of self. And when a human being reached the finalprocess, he or she, as an independent and autonomous being, develops into someone who can take responsibility of one's self.
In the temperament theory, Steiner divided human dispositions into bilious, neuroplasm(경형질), (sanguine, choleric) melancholic, and phlegmatic temperaments, and he suggested that teachers should educate students with proper guiding principles grounded on each student's unique temperament.
From the eco-educational standpoint, Stein stressed that every human being should live as a unique cosmos and must be understood organically. He argues that educators must concentrate on the 'here and now' development, and suggested a special educational methodology that respects each child's current development state. He encouraged educators to practice integrated education through experience and play.
Secondly, in the study of internal and external cases of Valdorf's ecological early childhood education, this paper reviewed the educational objectives, processes and the methodology of Yijaron Valdorf kindergarten in Germany. Its objective is to educate children, while considering them as a whole human being with body, mind, and soul. In this program, they have a daily timetable which has certain implied rhythms. It has a rhythmic weekly flow from Monday through Saturday, and during the monthly rhythmic activity, they go by 4-week rhythm, in line with the festivity, in accordance with the Christian subdivisions of the season.
It helps a child express one's own self through artistic activity based on the ecological nature. In the domestic case analysis of Valdorf pre-school education, this paper examined the Seonam Valdorf nursery (서남발도르프 어린이집). It encourages children to bring out their activeness and sense of responsibility, and to live their lives earnestly. In the educational process, it has certain routines for a year, month, week and a day and it allows the children to experience the folk holidays’ customs, and the changes of seasons yearly. Educational content includes strolling, making breakfast, doing artistic work, free playing, Reigen, storytelling, watching puppet shows, free playing with natural stuff, and interaction between teachers and the children. It helps children advance their sound will by mimicking adults, teaching them to manage difficulties and having faith to encourage them. In this regard, we aim to see a whole person whose education is grounded on Anthroposophy and Ecological philosophy.
Thirdly, this paper developed a new Eco-early Educational Program. It designed 'Exterior Breath Program' (바깥호흡 프로그램) which lets a child find one's own nature and breath as they are, as a cosmic being, linked with nature. 'Experience-the-Forest' Program’s objective allows us to realize that we are one with nature, and it helps us understand the way to living with nature. Tending a Vegetable Program allows children to understand living with nature and feeling the holiness and one’s worth through one's own body and heart. Gesture Play Program stimulates body and makes internal organs stronger, so that the children can recover the spirit of Korea and its energy. Seasonal Customs Program helps children feel the spirit of the people, learn periodicity of life according to the changes of season, and finally, it helps them know healthy foods, various traditional plays they can enjoy with others and the wisdom of our ancestors. Fingertip Play Program insists that finger playingis not a mere physical movement, but a mental process,and it helps each of us become a whole being with harmoniously developed head, mind and hands.
Anabada Program helps children realize circulating and rotating economy which is core principle of ecology, and helps them practice on their own. Meditation Program of finding real self helps children utilize sensations and make their body healthier. It also helps them see themselves objectively with creativity, endurance, courage, adaptability, cooperation, discernment, and judgment. Life Dining Table Program is an essential program for children, as its food preparation activity is fundamental part of our lives. This program makes children realize that food is part of our life. Generational Interchange Program encourages children to experience love sharing with their grandparents. If this program is done in the early education facilities, it is expected to help us continuously have positive solidarity between generations which has been broken by nuclear family these days. Ecology Art Program teaches children grow up to be whole beings, as the ecology art education says, it helps children express their inner side; and it stimulates vitality. Rearing Animals Program will help children respect others along with themselves.
Thus, Valdorf eco-early education helps children live a peaceful and happy life, offering a special life rhythm developed with artificial activities. Therefore, it encourages children to enjoy education that enables them to communicate with the universe, while they associate with nature. In this context, this Program, based on Steiner's thought, stirs us to see the world, our children, and the early childhood education in its entirely different point of view. To make this eco-early childhood educational program to establish itself, as not only a substitute program, but a general early education process. My new organization will also strive to do continuous research and will do our very best to spreadthis new-found solution to our current-quite-ineffective old-style educational system. I hope this whole society offer its concern and help.