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5 Wonderful Camp Sites In Ontario
Get some extra concepts on this topic at: Waldorf private school Camping. Getting in touch with nature, exploring the great outdoors, and “unplugging” for a while sounds like a great idea, but for those who have never done it before it may seem overwhelming. At Waldorf Academy, we believe teaching kids about camping so they gain an appreciation for it from a young age, and hopefully get them excited over the prospect of a weekend away. Let's talk about camping. Waldorf And The Outdoors Waldorf schools believe teaching children about the outdoors is crucial to their development. This is why camping is part of Waldorf Academy curriculum, in addition to other outdoor activities such as gardening, or even just going outside for classes such as science and gym. In fact, outdoor play is one of the foundational principles upon which Rudolf Steiner built the Waldorf educational system. At the first school Steiner opened, in Stuttgart in 1919, he outlined his view of child development which integrated physical, psychological, and spiritual development. In some European Waldorf schools, in fact, kindergarten students spend nearly the entire day outdoors. Here in Toronto, Waldorf students participate in a wide variety of outdoor activities, including gardening, composting, free play, outdoor arts and crafts, bush craft, and more. However precious our natural spaces are within the city, though, it doesn't compare with camping. At the end of the school year at Waldorf Academy, it's a tradition for families to go to Killbear Provincial Park, where we transform the "Beaver Dams" campground into a village where children wander and play freely. They can visit other campsites, play games on the beach, put on skits on the great rock as the Sun sets, and join the community in a massive potluck on the Canadian Shield. While older students take risks cliff jumping and gather around the campfire playing the guitar and singing, families have the option of choosing a site with electricity or joining another family on the same site as they build their camping skills. Why Is Camping Important? Camping can help children to gain the courage to try new things, develop their skills, and practice problem solving skills. It can also provide children with the opportunity to try new skills, like canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or stargazing, or to build on the skills they've learned at school. Although many children will attend structured camps through school, or during the summer vacation, camping with the family is a great way for parents and children to bond, and there are many locations in Ontario which are great for everyone from beginners to the most experienced campers. 5 Beautiful Campgrounds In Ontario Ontario is a vast province with many great parks and campsites. While some of these are widely-known (Algonquin Park probably comes to mind, or the Bruce Peninsula Park) there are many more lesser-known “hidden gems” which will probably be less crowded - especially if you're planning to make it a long-weekend getaway. Let's have a look at some of these. 1. Thousand Islands National Park Located about in Eastern Ontario, about 1.5 hours from Ottawa, Thousand Islands National Park perfect for a long weekend trip, because you won't spend the entire weekend driving there from Toronto. This is a great choice if you are new to camping and don't have a lot of equipment, as the park offers “oTENTiks” (a cross between a tent and a cabin) to stay in. Thousand Islands is known for its location along the beautiful St. Lawrence river, so this is a great opportunity to help your children explore the different activities along the bank of a river, like kayaking and swimming. Before you go, be sure to pack long, loose clothing, and know how to look for ticks (and what to do if you find them) as they are prevalent in this part of the province. 2. Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park An hour north of North Bay, this park will truly put you in touch with nature. This is a “wilderness class park” meaning it does not have facilities for visitors and is the most natural, undisturbed camping setting you will find. Cans and bottles are not permitted in this park, food must be brought in in reusable containers. In the middle of this park you'll find an ancient network of rivers Canada's indigenous people have used for centuries to travel via kayak or canoe, as well as some of Ontario's highest elevations, so bring your hiking boots. Prepare for warm days and chilly evenings - ensure you have a sleeping bag rated to -7°C and lots of layers. 3. Wheatley Provincial Park Nearthe southernmost point in all of Canada, in Chatham-Kent region, the weather here tends to be warmer than some of the more eastern and northern sites in the province (this park is the same latitude as Northern California). This campground has sandy beaches, and lots of forests, creeks, and campsites making it a great place to take the family. If you want to make a trip later in the fall, consider coming for Hallowe'en, when campers will dress up and decorate their sites. 4. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park Located on Lake Superior, east of Thunder Bay, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is a great place to watch wildlife. With over 80 km of trails, you can take lots of day-hikes, bring your bike, or go for the challenging 40 km Kabeyun Trail for an overnight trek. 5. Driftwood Provincial Park Located in Stonecliffe, on the Ottawa river, this park is a great place to set a base-camp for exploring. With a large sandy beach, and spectacular sunsets this is a great spot to bring the family for a weekend getaway. Contact Waldorf Academy If you believe in teaching children about the great outdoors, and want your child to get an education which emphasizes the importance of getting in touch with nature, you'll want to consider a Waldorf Education. Contact us today to learn about what we have to offer, and find out if Waldorf is right for your family. Get additional tips on this topic at: Waldorf Academy If you want to know more about our educational programs contact us Waldorf Academy 250 Madison Ave, Toronto, ON M4V 2W6 -https://goo.gl/maps/qkwtA59oxpw Waldorf Academy
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5 Wonderful Camp Sites In Ontario
Discover more information on this topic at: Toronto Waldorf Camping. Getting in touch with nature, exploring the great outdoors, and “unplugging” for a while sounds like a great idea, but for those who have never done it before it may seem overwhelming. At Waldorf Academy, we believe teaching kids about camping so they gain an appreciation for it from a young age, and hopefully get them excited over the prospect of a weekend away. Let's talk about camping. Waldorf And The Outdoors Waldorf schools believe teaching children about the outdoors is crucial to their development. This is why camping is part of Waldorf Academy curriculum, in addition to other outdoor activities such as gardening, or even just going outside for classes such as science and gym. In fact, outdoor play is one of the foundational principles upon which Rudolf Steiner built the Waldorf educational system. At the first school Steiner opened, in Stuttgart in 1919, he outlined his view of child development which integrated physical, psychological, and spiritual development. In some European Waldorf schools, in fact, kindergarten students spend nearly the entire day outdoors. Here in Toronto, Waldorf students participate in a wide variety of outdoor activities, including gardening, composting, free play, outdoor arts and crafts, bush craft, and more. However precious our natural spaces are within the city, though, it doesn't compare with camping. At the end of the school year at Waldorf Academy, it's a tradition for families to go to Killbear Provincial Park, where we transform the "Beaver Dams" campground into a village where children wander and play freely. They can visit other campsites, play games on the beach, put on skits on the great rock as the Sun sets, and join the community in a massive potluck on the Canadian Shield. While older students take risks cliff jumping and gather around the campfire playing the guitar and singing, families have the option of choosing a site with electricity or joining another family on the same site as they build their camping skills. Why Is Camping Important? Camping can help children to gain the courage to try new things, develop their skills, and practice problem solving skills. It can also provide children with the opportunity to try new skills, like canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or stargazing, or to build on the skills they've learned at school. Although many children will attend structured camps through school, or during the summer vacation, camping with the family is a great way for parents and children to bond, and there are many locations in Ontario which are great for everyone from beginners to the most experienced campers. 5 Beautiful Campgrounds In Ontario Ontario is a vast province with many great parks and campsites. While some of these are widely-known (Algonquin Park probably comes to mind, or the Bruce Peninsula Park) there are many more lesser-known “hidden gems” which will probably be less crowded - especially if you're planning to make it a long-weekend getaway. Let's have a look at some of these. 1. Thousand Islands National Park Located about in Eastern Ontario, about 1.5 hours from Ottawa, Thousand Islands National Park perfect for a long weekend trip, because you won't spend the entire weekend driving there from Toronto. This is a great choice if you are new to camping and don't have a lot of equipment, as the park offers “oTENTiks” (a cross between a tent and a cabin) to stay in. Thousand Islands is known for its location along the beautiful St. Lawrence river, so this is a great opportunity to help your children explore the different activities along the bank of a river, like kayaking and swimming. Before you go, be sure to pack long, loose clothing, and know how to look for ticks (and what to do if you find them) as they are prevalent in this part of the province. 2. Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park An hour north of North Bay, this park will truly put you in touch with nature. This is a “wilderness class park” meaning it does not have facilities for visitors and is the most natural, undisturbed camping setting you will find. Cans and bottles are not permitted in this park, food must be brought in in reusable containers. In the middle of this park you'll find an ancient network of rivers Canada's indigenous people have used for centuries to travel via kayak or canoe, as well as some of Ontario's highest elevations, so bring your hiking boots. Prepare for warm days and chilly evenings - ensure you have a sleeping bag rated to -7°C and lots of layers. 3. Wheatley Provincial Park Nearthe southernmost point in all of Canada, in Chatham-Kent region, the weather here tends to be warmer than some of the more eastern and northern sites in the province (this park is the same latitude as Northern California). This campground has sandy beaches, and lots of forests, creeks, and campsites making it a great place to take the family. If you want to make a trip later in the fall, consider coming for Hallowe'en, when campers will dress up and decorate their sites. 4. Sleeping Giant Provincial Park Located on Lake Superior, east of Thunder Bay, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is a great place to watch wildlife. With over 80 km of trails, you can take lots of day-hikes, bring your bike, or go for the challenging 40 km Kabeyun Trail for an overnight trek. 5. Driftwood Provincial Park Located in Stonecliffe, on the Ottawa river, this park is a great place to set a base-camp for exploring. With a large sandy beach, and spectacular sunsets this is a great spot to bring the family for a weekend getaway. Contact Waldorf Academy If you believe in teaching children about the great outdoors, and want your child to get an education which emphasizes the importance of getting in touch with nature, you'll want to consider a Waldorf Education. Contact us today to learn about what we have to offer, and find out if Waldorf is right for your family. Get some more tips about this topic at: Waldorf Academy If you want to know more about our educational programs contact us Waldorf Academy 250 Madison Ave, Toronto, ON M4V 2W6 -https://goo.gl/maps/qkwtA59oxpw Waldorf Academy
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What Is A Lunar Eclipse
See more tips on this topic at: Waldorf Academy Toronto \We've all heard of lunar and solar eclipses. But what exactly is happening in the sky when we witness these celestial events? And how does this connect us to the greater world around us, and to each other? Here at Waldorf Academy, a Keep reading to find out more. What Is A Lunar Eclipse? A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon, sun, and earth are in direct alignment with each other. The earth passing between the sun and moon causes the earth's shadow to be cast on the moon, which is what causes the moon to appear “blacked out” - or in other words, eclipsed. The next lunar eclipse is happening January 20th to 21st, and will be visible here in Toronto. Let's look at some eclipse facts, and get you and your child ready to view this amazing event. Best Place To View The Eclipse The January 2019 lunar eclipse will be visible from within the city of Toronto, however for the best viewing experience you might want to consider getting out of the city, where light pollution from artificial city lights will not have an impact on the view. If you can't get out of the city, sometimes local institutions such as the University of Toronto host “viewing parties” so keep your eyes peeled for an announcement regarding any local events. Safety When Viewing A Lunar Eclipse You may have heard about people who bought special glasses or created pinhole cameras to watch a solar eclipse, but did you know you don't need anything special to watch a lunar eclipse? Because a lunar eclipse is when the earth's shadow is cast on the moon, observing it means that you are not looking directly at the sun at any given point. During a solar eclipse however, it is the moon which passes between the earth and the sun, causing the sun to appear darkened or “blacked out”. This means that viewing a solar eclipse without eye protection can cause damage, as it essentially would involve staring directly at the sun. Viewing a lunar eclipse however, is perfectly safe, as you are never looking directly at the sun. Viewing The Night Sky In a world so full of change, one of the few things that remain entirely untouched by human development and modern life is the night sky. Here in the city, some of that is choked off by light pollution, but by stepping outside of the city we can appreciate the sky in much the same way people have been for as long as we've been human beings, and almost certainly longer. Although January weather can be bitter cold, spending time with your children outdoors gazing up at the sky can provide a bonding experience that can inspire a life-long fascination with the natural world. Books can help foster your child's imagination and fascination with the subject as well. In particular, we recommend The Kids Book Of The Night Sky, written by authors Jane Drake and Anne Love, and illustrated by Heather Collins, all Torontonian. Using a sky chart, you and your children can play a game of "Night Sky I Spy" and pick out the various stars, constellations, and even planets. Fun Lunar Eclipse Facts To Share With Your Children Trying to get your children excited about watching the eclipse? Aside from the promise of allowing them to stay up past their bedtime to watch the event, here are some fun eclipse facts that they can share with their friends: 1. There Are Three Types Of Lunar Eclipses There are different types of lunar eclipses, these are penumbral lunar eclipses, partial lunar eclipses, and total lunar eclipses. A penumbral lunar eclipse is when the moon passes through the Earth's penumbral cone. What this means is only the outer shadow of the Earth falls on the face of the moon, making it subtle and harder to observe. During a partial eclipse of the moon, only a portion of the moon is covered by the earth's shadow, and during a total eclipse the entire moon falls under the earth's shadow and it may have a blood red colour. 2. The Next Full Lunar Eclipse Is More Than 2 Years Away Although partial and penumbral eclipses are more common events, total lunar eclipses are less common, and may not be fully visible, as this will depend on where on the planet you are viewing from. The next total lunar eclipse won't occur until May 26, 2021. This can make such an event more exciting – your children will understand that not only are they viewing a spectacular event, they're viewing one that won't happen again. In a world where we're used to having whatever we want whenever we want at our fingertips, a limited event like this can help bring us back to the moment. After all, anything on a screen will still be there later, but the lunar eclipse won't be. 3. There Are Eclipses On Other Planets, Too Earth is not the only planet which can experience eclipses, but there's something unique about ours compared with the rest of the Solar System. If someone were living on Mars, they would experience what we call a partial eclipse when one of the moons of Mars (Phobos and Deimos) passes directly in front of the Sun. Because these moons are so small (most astronomers assume they are stray asteroids), an eclipse of Phobos or Deimos wouldn't be very exciting. At the same time, if you were on Pluto, the Sun wouldn't look much larger than a small dot in the sky, so when Pluto's moon Charon passed in front of it, it would also be a total eclipse. This, too, wouldn't be very exciting. But because Earth's Moon is about the same size in the sky as the Sun, the Moon can cover the Sun in the sky. And because the Sun's shadow is larger than the Moon, it can block out the Moon entirely as well. This beautiful spectacle occurs nowhere else in the Solar System than our home here on Earth. Contact Waldorf Academy If your child is curious and excited about learning about things like lunar eclipses, and you are considering an alternative approach to their education to help fuel their curiosity in the world than consider a Waldorf Education. For more information about how a Waldorf Education can benefit your child, contact us today to set up a meeting. Discover more information about this topic at: Waldorf School If you want to know more about our educational programs contact us Waldorf Academy 250 Madison Ave, Toronto, ON M4V 2W6 -https://goo.gl/maps/qkwtA59oxpw Waldorf Academy
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3 Ways You And Your Kids Can Reduce Stress Together
Find more ideas about this topic at: private education institution As adults, we think about stress all the time. Stress about paying the bills. Stress about looming deadlines at work. Stress about whether our kids are getting the best possible education. Which is why the Waldorf Academy, a Toronto elementary private school, has some tips for you and your children to reduce the stress in your life. Keep reading to learn about stress and children (because they can get stressed too) and what you can do about it. The Effect Of Stress On Children Stress is a natural, biological, response to adverse circumstances. It was evolving the fight-or-flight stress response which allowed our ancestors to survive, and the release of cortisol and adrenaline can be useful in short-term situations. The prolongation of the stress response, however, and release of these hormones can have an adverse effect on children's developing bodies. This is an issue as up to 20% of children have reported experiencing stress and worry, according to data from the American Psychological Association, however many parents underestimate the effect of stress in their child's lives. The stress children feel may be different than what their parents are feeling, however it is important to address as mental health issues such as anxiety and depression can have a negative impact on a child's long-term physiological development. 3 Ways Children And Adults Can Reduce Stress There are a number of ways to reduce stress in children. Further, it is important to teach children healthy ways of coping with stress, to avoid the development of unhealthy coping mechanisms later in life. Practice some of these ideas with your child, and don't be surprised if both of you experience beneficial effects. 1. Have A Snuggle Getting close with your loved ones is a proven way to relieve stress. Close contact prompts the brain to release oxytocin, the hormone which helps mothers bond to their newborn babies. Oxytocin also helps with reducing stress, managing pain, reducing blood pressure, and improving sleep. So grab a blanket, and a story book, and get cozy on the couch. 2. Sing Your Hearts Out Do you get annoyed when your child or partner decides to sing along loudly every time their favourite song comes on in the car? If their singing is causing you stress, perhaps you should consider singing along with them, instead of complaining. Singing can help to reduce stress-causing hormones such as cortisol. It can also stimulate the vagus nerve, which can help to reduce stress on the parasympathetic nervous system. So next time your child wants to sing along, consider joining in, instead of complaining. You might find it will do some good for both of you. 3. Have A Dance Party Dancing is good for you - doctor's orders. If you've ever watched the hit show “Grey's Anatomy” you may know that it was a common event for the main characters to deal with their stress by “Dancing it out”. This wasn't just a cute trope created for the TV series though – dance has some serious benefits. Both music and movement have been shown to help reduce stress. Put them together and you've got a powerful prescription for reducing the symptoms of stress. So put on your favourite tunes and get moving. Contact Waldorf Academy The Waldorf Academy is dedicated to helping your child grow in every way possible, and that includes helping them learn to recognize and manage stress in a safe, supportive environment. If you want to learn more about a Waldorf education for your child, contact us today to set up a meeting. See some extra information about this topic at: Toronto Waldorf private school If you want to know more about our educational programs contact us Waldorf Academy 250 Madison Ave, Toronto, ON M4V 2W6 -https://goo.gl/maps/qkwtA59oxpw Waldorf Academy
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The Power Of Storytelling
Storytelling has been around for probably as long as humans have, and it's also part of the reason human are still around. The first storytelling we can date is the cave paintings from 30,000 years ago, which detailed a tracking and hunting scene, describing how to successfully secure food for the tribe. The Waldorf Academy, an alternative elementary school, leverages our natural human talent for storytelling to accomplish similar goals: teaching your children the fundamentals of what they need to survive and thrive. Pre-Historic Storytelling We've come a long way since pre-historic storytelling, which we see as cave paintings and some small figurines or funerary art. Those were almost all designed to teach a valuable lesson or to help early cultures explain why things happened. In his book, The Story Of B, author Daniel Quinn describes a theory about the early rise of storytelling and why we consider it to be so important. He suggests it has something to do with the skill of animal tracking. Based on only a single piece of evidence – a tuft of fur, a few footprints, some droppings, or a few scuffed leaves – a tracker had to piece together a story about that animal to discover how to track it down. Was it scared? Relaxed? Under attack? Was it running or walking? Was it already captured and killed by another animal? The narrative a tracker put together was a story about that animal's life. And the better a storyteller you were, the better able you were to bring meat back to your camp. Thus, the camp's very survival was directly tied to its storytellers. Stories are how lessons were taught in ancient civilizations, and it was most often done through an oral tradition of storytelling, perhaps around the communal fire. These early examples finally were transcribed, once writing developed sufficiently to keep up with language. However, there was once a time when bards would have to memorize thousands of lines of story in order to relay it to younger generations with integrity. In time, these stories and fables were adapted and turned into plays, where all walks of life could listen and enjoy, not just the small few who knew how to read and write. The printing press made stories more available, and then cinema helped develop stories even further. Nowadays we have the internet to deliver our stories to us, including in byte-size ways, such as Instagram and Facebook Stories. How Storytelling Changes The Brain The physiological response to storytelling is quite fascinating, and comes from how a story captures our attention and then transports us into the world of the characters. Transportation happens when a story captures our attention, and it describes how our brains start to experience similar emotional responses as the characters in the story. This is how stories can help bring people together: because once you can imagine yourself in a character's place, you might be able to do the same thing with the person in front of you on the subway, or in the grocery store. This is how stories change your brain: you begin to develop empathy skills that allow you to engage with more people – different people – on an emotional level. These are the fundamentals of the 'virtuous cycle', because those who develop empathy and emotional relationships also start to help people, and this service has been proven to make people happier. Why Is Telling Your Children Stories Good For Them? Stories are how humans learn, no matter whether young or adult; think about the last time you learned something…was it from staring at data, or was it from having the data put into a narrative for you? Children learn through stories in all their forms – storybooks that are read to them, books they read to themselves, even movies and TV, when well written and produced. Stories expose children to information they may not otherwise have access to – for instance, they can read the story of a distant culture, or a historical event. 1. It's Relaxing And They Enjoy It Reading a book before bed – or being read to – is a good way for kids to wind down at night, because it means they can let their bodies relax, while allowing their minds to exist briefly in the fantasy world of the story. Having this mental break at the end of their actual day, with all its ups and downs, puts them squarely back in the realm of possibility, which helps them cope with stress. It also helps create routine for your child, which is another helpful method of coping for kids, while also solidifying books as an important part of their everyday. 2. It Helps Them Use Their Imagination Developing a child's imagination helps them to assimilate new ideas, new concepts and new personalities into their view of the world. It doesn't even matter whether the story is a work of fantasy, of fiction or of fact – they learn from all of them. It helps them to understand their place in this world, and to broaden their minds about what is possible. 3. It Helps Them Understand Their Own Feelings We've already talked about how stories change the brain by helping children develop empathy. When they are transported into the world of the characters – transportation – they are able to imagine how that character must feel, and why they would be feeling it. Children are very adept at bringing that back to the world around them, and learning what feelings are appropriate in a given situation. As well, through stories, they learn to communicate those feelings, and better describe them to their parents and others with whom they have close emotional relationships. 4. It Boosts Their Confidence Children who enjoy a good story often do so because they learn from the characters, the plot line, and even the details of the stories they hear. Stories are a natural, time-honoured way for humans to learn, and children can absorb so much from a good story, that it helps them feel as if they lived through it themselves and have learned the same lessons as the protagonists (or antagonists). Having this experience of living through a story's characters help children to feel as if they've learned something valuable, and that is what contributes to confidence building – they now know what to do if faced with similar circumstances, as well as understanding their own place in the world. It's a powerful feeling. 5. It Increases Their Vocabulary It should be no surprise that vocabulary expands the more a child reads, or is read to. Young brains have such plasticity that they have been known to even extrapolate meaning of words, simply by hearing them used repeatedly. Don't put aside a book just because you think it may be too advanced – remind your child to stop you if they don't know a word, and consider asking them to recap what they've just heard you read so that you can gauge their understanding and interest. Contact Waldorf Academy At the Waldorf Academy, we use stories to teach children the topics that are a part of our curriculum, because they allow us to teach more complex ideas, and to teach them from different points of view. Stories capture our students' attention, which is vital for instruction, and this is why a Waldorf education is so much more impactful. If this article captured your attention, reach out to us and book an appointment to hear more about the Waldorf Academy, and what we can bring to your child. If you want to know more about our educational programs contact us Waldorf Academy 250 Madison Ave, Toronto, ON M4V 2W6 -https://goo.gl/maps/qkwtA59oxpw Waldorf Academy 
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Who was Rudolf Steiner?
Rudolf Steiner was the individual whose work forms the basis of the Waldorf education tradition.Though he was born more than a century and a half ago, his legacy still continues today in the form of the more than 2000 Waldorf schools around the world.   But who was Rudolf Steiner, and what led him to become the founder of Waldorf?   Read on to find out. Early Years Rudolf Joseph Laurence Steiner was born on February 25th, 1861, in the tiny village of Kraljevec, in modern-day Croatia. At the time it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His childhood was spent in three different places – Vienna and Steiermark, both in modern Austria, and Burgenland, in modern Germany, before attending the Technical University in Vienna where he studied mathematics, physics, chemistry, and natural history. He also attended some lectures from Robert Zimmerman and Franz Brentano at the University of Vienna, two philosophers who would go on to influence Steiner's work.   Beginning at the age of 25, Steiner began his early career as a literary critic and private tutor to the children of a wealthy Viennese business family, as well as publishing a number of articles on geology and mineralogy. He earned his PhD in 1891 from the University of Rostock, writing his thesis on epistemology in relation to Fichte's philosophy of science.   Life In Germany Steiner was invited to Weimar in 1890, where he was given the responsibility of editing the works of Goethe in the realm of natural science for an upcoming edition of his work. He also edited and published the complete works of Schopenhauer and Jean Paul, among other works.   He also published his own work, Philosophy of Freedom, which was to become the basis of his later work. After spending seven years in Weimar, the cultural centre of Germany at the time, he moved on to Berlin. In Berlin, he founded and edited The Magazine For Literature, among other publications.   He also gave an address during the 500 year celebration of the birth of Gutenberg, as well as delivering lectures on history, science, literature, and rhetoric at the Berlin Workers' Training School.   Founding Of Anthroposophy And The First Waldorf School With the turn of the 20th century, Steiner began to work on what would eventually become anthroposophy. Based on a series of lectures he held, anthroposophy revolved around encompassing a number of different sciences and philosophies, including Aristotle, Plato, and Thomas Aquinas. In 1902, he was invited to the Theosophical Society to become the General Secretary of the German section.   He accepted, but under the proviso that he would speak only about what he had developed through spiritual exploration. This was surprising to many, but acceptable. He stayed with the Theosophical Society for ten years before separating and founding his own society, the Anthroposophical Society along with some co-workers. While he delivered lectures on the topic, he himself was not even a member of the society.   In 1918, social unrest in Germany and in Russia encouraged Steiner to present his ideas on a threefold differentiation of society – the development of freedom in the cultural sphere, equality in the political sphere, and a global fraternity in the economic sphere. This led to him founding the first free Waldorf school in Stuttgart, Germany. The name came as appreciation of the patronage of Emil Molt, CEO of the Waldorf-Astoria cigarette factory.   It became the basis for the Waldorf educational system. Today there are more than 2500 Waldorf schools worldwide, among which Toronto's Waldorf Academy is proud to consider itself. In 1923, Steiner began to build a general Anthroposophical Society and School of Spiritual Science.   He delivered 330 lectures on the topic the following year until September 29th, when he ceased all public activity citing exhaustion. He died six months later. Youtube content is not displayed due to your cookie settings. Click on the functional YouTube cookies in the cookie banner to agree to load and display content from YouTube. Google Maps content is not displayed due to your current cookie settings. Click on the cookie policy (functional) to agree to the Google Maps cookie policy and view the content. You can find out more about this in the Google Maps privacy policy.
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