In the middle of all this is the adolescent’s authentic awakening into new awareness, and her/his genuine need to experiment with language and attitudes and engage others (i.e. get a reaction!). Class Six students’ repertoire in this area includes general naughtiness in word choice, cheekiness in manner, and pervasive arguing. Mr. El-Moussa says this last is one of his favourite things to do with his class at the moment: argue. His reasoning – familiar to anyone connected to Waldorf ways – is the following: as they develop, they need to argue, they need to explore arguing. How does the teacher best make use of this need to encourage the children’s growth, positive world-concept, and eventual freedom and responsibility? In this case, the answer is: they will get a dose of focused guidance in social skills and courtesy, and they will channel their obstreperousness into the form of disciplined team and individual debate.

- This article was written by a Sunrise Waldorf School parent for the Daybreak Monthly Newsletter which can be viewed online at www.sunrisewaldorfschool.org

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