School Expectations around Media Use

Steiner educators are philosophically opposed to young children being exposed to television, video, cinema, iPods and computer games.  Whilst not intending to discredit all types of media, it must be stated clearly that exposing children to such media is incompatible and counterproductive to the aims and methods of our education.  It is developmentally inappropriate for the following reasons:

• Until the age of nine, children live very much in the world of imitation and imagination and cannot clearly distinguish between fantasy and reality.  They learn about the world best through play and direct experience.  Everything in a child’s environment has an effect (positive and/or negative) on the development of the physical organs and therefore affects their health in later life.
• The years’ nine to eleven are the “Heart of Childhood”.  At this age children begin to differentiate themselves from the environment and think more objectively. However, their thinking is characteristically a combination of a practical and imaginary nature and they are unable to interpret sophisticated techniques used by various forms of media.  It is only with the natural awakening of abstract thinking at approximately 14 years that children are able to analyse and critically view media with guidance.

Premature awakening of the abstract thinking draws life forces away from their work on the bodily nature of the child and creates disharmony in the soul life.  It must also be noted that, regardless of one’s age, there are physical, psychological and social stresses brought about by indiscriminate use of media.

In light of the above statements the school recommends the following guidelines:

• Children under 9 years should not watch television, videos and cinema or play computer/video games.
• Children between 9 and 11 years may watch suitable programs during holidays but should refrain from computer/video games.
• Children 11 years onwards may watch suitable programs during the holidays, Fridays and Saturdays.  No computer/video games.

Students are not permitted to bring personal electronic media devices to school for entertainment purposes. This applies to all devices of whatever form.