Child Development
Six-Part Course for Primary Education
What does it really mean to understand a child? This course invites you into one of the most rewarding dimensions of Steiner/Waldorf education — a deep, living understanding of how children grow, feel, think, and learn across the journey from birth to 21 years.
Over six Wednesday evenings, you will explore the key developmental phases of childhood and adolescence through the lens of Steiner education, and come away with practical tools to observe, understand, and meet your students more fully. Whether you are stepping into a Steiner classroom for the first time or deepening an existing practice, this module offers both the conceptual framework and the warm, human insight that makes Steiner teaching so distinctive.
No previous experience is necessary. This is an essential course for homeschool educators, and an integrated component of the first-year Steiner teacher training.
Begins 22 July 2026
All sessions are delivered live via Zoom — accessible from anywhere — with experienced tutors who bring genuine depth and warmth to every topic.
| DATES | PROGRAM CONTENT |
| 22 July
|
Child development phases (1)An introduction to Steiner’s understanding of the great phases of childhood — the seven-year rhythms that shape how children experience the world. This session also explores Class 1 readiness and the significance of the nine-year change, giving you a new lens through which to see your students. Tutor: James Deefholts |
| 29 July
|
Child development phases (2)Building on Week 1, this session deepens the exploration of developmental stages through middle childhood and into adolescence. Particular attention is given to the social, emotional, and intellectual shifts that educators can learn to recognise and work with creatively. Tutor: James Deefholts |
| 5 August
|
How children learn — the seven learning processesSteiner education recognises that learning is not a single act but a rich, unfolding process. This session introduces the seven learning processes central to Steiner pedagogy — a practical and inspiring framework for lesson planning, pacing, and creating experiences that truly land for students. Tutor: Sven Saar |
| 12 August
|
The joy of numbersMathematics in Steiner education is far more than calculation — it is an experience of beauty, wonder, and inner order. This session reveals the imaginative, artistic approach to numeracy that characterises Steiner classrooms, and explores how even young children can discover a genuine love of numbers. Tutor: Alan Swindell |
| 19 August
|
The art of observation (1) — child studyOne of the most powerful gifts a Waldorf teacher develops is the capacity to truly observe. This session introduces Goethean observation and the practice of child study as a living professional tool, not merely an assessment method. Tutor: Amanda Bell |
| 26 August
|
The art of observation (2) — child studyBuilding on the principles set out in week 5, we proceed to the art of observation for future learning: how do we discern and record progress in a reliable and meaningful way? Tutor: Sven Saar |
Details
Course Duration: 6 weeks
Delivery: One 1.5-hour online lecture delivered Wednesday evenings 7pm – 8.30pm (AEDT)
Total Course Hours:
- 9 hours of lectures.
- Additional time for reading/assignments: 3 hours per week (recommended)
Dates:Â 22 July – 26 August 2026 | Wednesday evenings from 7pm – 8.30pm (AEDT)
Certificate of Professional Development available on completion.
Course Fee:Â A$500.00 (incl. GST)
Course Coordinator: Doris Antivilo
Reserve your place
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