“The child’s soul is a flame of wonder.”
It seems fitting that we are writing an article for a school blog centred on the theme of curiosity on the same day as David Attenborough’s 100th birthday. His consistent curiosity for the natural environment has brought generations of people from around the world to take an interest in many of the most extraordinary places on earth, unreachable for most people. Places that have to be seen, even if through television, to be believed.
It was fitting also, as recently, some of our teachers attended a conference involving Steiner Schools from around the country. The keynote speaker was Brad Kershner, Head of School at Kimberton Waldorf School in New York. He spoke of Steiner schools globally having the potential of being “islands of coherence” in a rapidly changing world where an increasing emphasis is placed on standardisation and intellect rather than celebrating diversity and wisdom. In a world where it seems all too easy for people to forget what the “A” stands for in A.I. We need to protect curiosity and creativity in our children as the gateways to genuine “real” wisdom. Our school’s value of curiosity can not be more important right now.
In his keynote, Kershner referred several times to Dr. Iain McGilchrist. A neuroscientist whose work on the roles of the left and right brain hemispheres relates deeply to the work we do in Steiner Schools, we invite you to listen to this podcast. Consciousness Cartographer, also available to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYDHnXR84aQ
At his hundredth birthday celebration, David Attenborough still has hope that we may save many of those places that have to be seen to be believed. It will take more than resources alone. It will take an engaged, imaginative society willing to dream into a world that does not yet exist. It’s a reminder that the fragile optimism for a better world must also first be believed for it to be seen.
Photos are sourced as follows: David Attenborough: https://wallpapers.com/wallpapers/david-attenborough-l8aoye7lebbrfh0x.html; Bug Photo by Hans-Jurgen Mager on Unsplash; Polar bear Photo by Hans-Jurgen Mager on Unsplash; Rolling hills Photo by Urban Vintage on Unsplash; Green tree Photo by Matthew Smith on Unsplash; Sea Photo by Shifaaz shamoon on Unsplash; Forest: Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash
