In an age where screens and schedules dominate, it is more vital than ever to nurture children’s natural connection to the earth and to their own inner voice. These two threads (nature and inner listening) form the roots of a whole and balanced education. When a child is encouraged to step into a forest, feel the soil between their fingers, or notice the birdsong at dawn, they are not only learning about the world outside, but awakening to the world within.
Steiner, or Waldorf, education has long recognized this truth. Rudolf Steiner believed that education is not simply about transferring knowledge but about cultivating the soul life of the child. He emphasized that children learn best when they are given the space to explore their environment, imitate the rhythms of nature, and discover meaning through lived experience. Nature, in this sense, becomes both classroom and teacher.
Through time outdoors, children experience the cycles of the seasons, the quiet presence of trees, and the freedom of movement under open skies. These experiences develop not only physical health but also imagination, resilience, and reverence. A child who learns to plant seeds and watch them grow discovers patience and responsibility. A child who walks barefoot on grass or listens to the wind is reminded that life is more than tasks; it is relationship and wonder.
Equally important is the cultivation of the child’s inner voice. Too often, young people are told what to think and believe, rather than supported to listen inwardly and discern for themselves. Steiner pedagogy places emphasis on nurturing intuition, reflection, and creativity, trusting that children have a natural wisdom that unfolds when given time and space. By listening to their own questions and instincts, children develop confidence in their unique path and integrity in their choices.
When nature and inner listening are woven together, education becomes not just preparation for life, but life itself. Children discover that the guidance they need does not only come from authority or textbooks but from the quiet knowing inside and the living world around them. In honoring these two sources of wisdom, we raise not only knowledgeable individuals but grounded, compassionate, and free men and women.
If this topic resonates, then I encourage you to listen to the 23rd August podcast on All Learning Reimagined when I interview aussie legend Ross Tysoe. Ross shares his personal education experience and relates it to his current biodynamic farming practices today.
Enjoy! Teresa 2025
