The 14 Year Old

Middle school and the wonder of consciousness: The 14-year-old.

The real gift in Waldorf Education is the journey the teacher takes and watches in awe as the children change and move through the world. They are like living pieces of clay and the world holds and shapes them. They are like little sponges and they absorb everything. The Curriculum is the beautiful medicine that bonds to their thinking, feeling and willing faculties.

As parents and teachers, we walk along as participants and caring participants, and we steer where we can and guide where we must. They move, glide and change. They feel the fear at times, gather their courage and battle the tasks of the world. At times, they are victorious and other times not so.

We see changes in children as we journey along this odyssey that is childhood, and it is the awakening of the thinking that brings the most beautiful gems to the fore. The dreaminess and seeing stage of consciousness is now over.

The child becomes fully “awake” to the surroundings and their Self. They realize they soon need to face the challenges of the world on their own, without the guidance of their parents and loved ones. This is the biggest quest as they can feel the loneliness of this task, as they face the challenges the world will bring.

They feel the need to be separate from their teachers and parents and all the adults that were their guides along the way. They want to find their own self.

This is where things get exciting and challenging! They want to think about everything, argue about everything and analyze everything. Their emotions can be a pitfall at times, but they mature and clear perceptive thinking comes about.

We need to think of ways to present concepts to them that would awaken their interests and the path to logical thinking. The theme of cause and effect and deducting concepts as they form their own theories through phenomena and observation.

At times, this is also a stage of upheaval as they want to be like everybody else. They wanted to be included and accepted by their peers and group. This would mean going against previous norms and manners in which they previously conducted themselves.

The emotions are now freed and can be quite explosive at times! They have the need to be understood. It could be challenging for a parent to keep our judgments at bay but to see them as human beings finding their way to adulthood.

There are always rules and firm boundaries. These need to be observed in an objective manner and not only authoritarian. They need time when they can be alone and untroubled. They also need to be engaged in activities to not only be caught in their thinking.

I have felt that, through humor and open, clear communications, a safe environment is created for the adolescent to thrive in. Create a space where they can express themselves and be clear with expectations, always. Focus on their own conclusion. Encourage them to think for themselves, and to have healthy debates.

This is a challenging and beautiful time. Meet them where you can and also learn to see the developing person, on their way to adulthood.

Mr. Siepker 

Learn more about the ages and changes HERE.