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Table of Contents From the Editor Elan Leibner .................................................................................................. 3 Report from the Co-Directors David Mitchell and Douglas Gerwin .............................................................. 5 Tending the Flame: The Link Between Education and Medicine in Childhood Philip Incao ................................................................................................... 7 Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain Sue Gerhardt .............................................................................................. 15 Research into Resilience Christof Wiechert ....................................................................................... 21 Reading Research Supports the Waldorf Approach Sebastian Suggate ...................................................................................... 25 Thinking and the Sense of Thinking: How We Perceive Thoughts Detlef Hardorp .................................................................................... 27 Outline of a Study Methodology Elan Leibner ................................................................................................ 39 The Founding Intentions: Spiritual Leadership, Current Work, and the Goals of the Medical Section Michaela Glšckler ....................................................................................... 43 Attending to Interconnection: Living the Lesson Arthur Zajonc ............................................................................................. 53 Research Bulletin • Spring 2011 • Volume 16 • #1 2 • Table of Contents Work of the Research Fellows Review of The Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes Dorit Winter .............................................................................................. 67 Reports from Current Projects of the Research Institute Teaching Sensible Science Lylli Anthon .............................................................................................. 72 Report on the Online Waldorf Library Marianne Alsop .......................................................................................... 75 Indices Waldorf Journal Projects ............................................................................. 76 Waldorf Science Newsletter ........................................................................... 82 About the Research Institute for Waldorf Education ............................. 85 Research Bulletin • Spring 2011 • Volume 16 • #1 From the Editor Elan Leibner he sense of thinking has long been one of the Christof Wiechert describes what research most puzzling aspects of Rudolf SteinerÕs teaching has identified as five key areas in the development Tabout the senses. Sensory input (or percept) is of resilience in children. It is clear that Waldorf defined as that which we join with concepts, education has been doing much to support gained through thinking intuition, in order for full resilience, and the research supports essential cognition to arise. How is it possible to perceive a aspects of SteinerÕs approach. Though many thought before thinking? Detlef Hardorp explores teachers may be doing the right thing as a matter this mystery, including a fascinating description of of course, the more fully conscious we are of the the one instance in which we gain concepts directly consequences of our work, the more likely we are to from other human beings without needing intuitions do it with conviction and joy. to facilitate the acquisition of these concepts. His There is a short article by Sebastian Suggate, extended essay offers a significant contribution to who has done empirical research in New Zealand the study of the senses and will be of special interest concerning the difference (or none thereof) to high school teachers working with the higher, in reading competence among children who cognitive senses. began reading instruction before age 7 or after. A trio of articles explores issues related to He describes conclusive evidence that there is health and wellbeing. Philip Incao contemplates absolutely no measurable difference in ability by the role of warmth in allowing the human beingÕs age 12. This is the kind of scientific research that spiritual essence to take hold of healing processes. can help allay the fears of parents in Waldorf He describes a historical progression that has led schools that their children are Òfalling behind.Ó to a significant decrease in ÒwarmÓ (fever-inducing, Michaela Glšckler, a frequent and much- acute, usually infectious) diseases and childhood appreciated contributor to the Research Bulletin, mortality, but that, having swung the pendulum offers a meditation on the structure and purpose too far in the other direction, has led to the rise of of the Medical Section. As few can, she illuminates ÒcoldÓ (and chronic) conditions such as ADD and the profound spiritual archetypes underlying the asthma. One is left with renewed appreciation for structure of the organization she has been leading the crucial importance of warmth not only as a for the past two decades. Anyone involved in the physical process but as a pedagogical and social governance of an anthroposophical institution principle as well. is warmly encouraged to read this piece. A short Sue Gerhardt writes about brain development description of work with the circle-and-point during infancy. The studies she describes show from meditation, written by Rudiger Grimm, a long-time a scientific perspective what good parents and care remedial teacher, concludes Dr. GlšcklerÕs article. givers have long sensed: Calm and loving care is Arthur Zajonc is another of the Research not just a ÒniceÓ but a critically important factor for Bulletin’s stalwarts. In an article reprinted from his the development of the neurological networks that most recent book, The Heart of Higher Education: shape behavior later in life. She adds scientific rigor A Call to Renewal, he offers a comprehensive, to the importance of the Òonly real healing force.Ó integrated, and holistic approach to adult education. Describing in lucid terms how scientific Research Bulletin • Spring 2011 • Volume 16 • #1 4 • From the Editor thinking has overcome a reductionist paradigm by written anthroposophy. This methodology can be learning to ask new kinds of question, he charts used both for individual study and for faculty or a path towards a truly human academia. He and college study. It has been refined in courses I have his colleagues, including his co-authors Parker taught over the past three years and leads from Palmer and Megan Scribner, stand at the forefront a detailed summary of the content of the text, of efforts to bring true humanity back into higher through two intermediate steps, towards meditative education. contemplation of selected questions or themes. Dorit Winter writes a review of The Age of A personal note: This issue is my first as the Wonder by Richard Holmes. With her customary new editor of the Research Bulletin. I am honored precision and insight, she describes an author who, to join the ranks of this publication and invite through impeccable research, arrives at profound our readers to send comments and suggestions. experiences of his own consciousness, as well as Above all, we want the articles published here the consciousness of his subjects. As would befit to be helpful to the practitioners and students of an educator of teachers, Dorit also offers practical Waldorf pedagogy. My colleagues and I hope that application of the material from the book for the selections included in this issue will enhance the different grade levels. understanding and practice of Waldorf education. Finally, I include in this issue a short article suggesting a study methodology for working with Elan Leibner Research Bulletin • Spring 2011 • Volume 16 • #1 Report from the Co-Directors David Mitchell and Douglas Gerwin ith the support of an enthusiastic donor, information on this popular course, which over the the Research Institute has posted online a broad years has been offered in Waldorf schools across Wrange of invaluable yet sometimes inaccessible the U.S., please contact Michael DÕAleo at spalight@ books on Waldorf education. This collection will verizon.net. We are grateful to the Leadership be of special interest to researchers and other Team at AWSNA and to the Waldorf Educational individuals seeking to gain access and download Foundation for sponsoring this program, which books for research and study. Through the allows class teachers to deepen their understanding generosity of the Waldorf Curriculum Fund we and practice of phenomenological observation in have, since November 2010, produced 23 additional the context of the Waldorf science curriculum in electronic books. Together with the 30 e-Books grades 6Ð8. already produced, this represents a significant treasure Work is progressing on the sexual education trove of research material available at our Online curriculum and book for grades 4Ð12 under the Waldorf Library (OWL), www.waldorflibrary.org. This guidance of Douglas Gerwin, Director of the Center web-based resource is accessible free of charge, for Anthroposophy and Co-Director of the Research and we encourage you to visit it frequently. Our Institute. Translation of a recently published online librarianÕs regular report of activities appears collection of essays on this subject from German to separately towards the end of this issue. English has been completed, and several Waldorf As Co-Directors