In this fresh-looking and fascinating book, Heinz Grill takes the reader in a lively way along the inner development path of toddlers, children and young people. The author creates a comprehensive understanding and realistic feeling about these life periods that the children go through. However, he mainly points to the own self-education that the adult should demonstrate. In order to assist the children during these periods, raise them responsibly and lead them in life.
The life periods that we all know as the baby-toddler-preschooler phase, the time of the primary school child and then the puberty phase are physically demarcated by the change of teeth around six or seven years of age and sexual maturity around the thirteenth or fourteenth year of life. What are the specific inner characteristics of these periods? What things does the child develop in these separate periods? How does it look at the world, how does it feel, what inner foundations are laid here for later, are matters that the author discusses based on his spiritual research. Each period carries an inner law within it.
Furthermore, the question arises about the position of parents, teachers and educators in this process. How can we positively influence these phases as an adult? When do we intervene negatively or undermine certain development opportunities? When do we work constructively on their development? What developmental steps should the adult take? How does he arrive at a good guiding and at the same time freedom-enhancing relationship basis towards the child during the individual phases of life? Each phase of life requires a different relationship basis or position from the adult, as well as certain qualities.
However, Heinz Grill does not put forward a new pedagogical method in his book. On the contrary, he points rather to the primary importance of the self-education that the adult practices in himself. This provides a clear picture of the effect of the attitude and example of the adult on the child. He describes the courageous self-education of parents and teachers as more important than the educational method one uses. Self-education can be seen as the living fire that warms, penetrates and enlivens the external method one chooses. (see quote)
Attention is also paid to some contemporary problems such as concentration disorders, nervous overload and posture problems. But also the nowadays widely spread personality and will weakness that finds its roots in our consumer society.
Education is never limited to young people, children and toddlers. If education were only a pedagogical skill or the application of a certain, solid methodology, it could never really touch life and promote it in freedom. Education is always self-education. We must regard our own development and our own vigorous efforts for purity, rationality, positive radiance and spiritual perfection as more important than the methods we use in learning and educating others. Heinz Grill
The book also contains some extras about:
– Physical exercises (yoga postures) to support education
– The death of children
- The lying
– Indigo children
Education and self-education is highly recommended for parents, teachers, child psychologists and educators, and for all those who want to bring more depth, vision and life to their upbringing, teaching or method.
- Author(s): Heinz Grill
- ISBN: 978 90 803526 3 6
- Language: Dutch
- Number of pages: 143
Only available in the Dutch edition.
