Children and Their Temperaments

Book excerpt: Drawing on an ancient tradition, Rudolf Steiner spoke of four fundamental types, or temperaments, belonging to the human personality, each of which has a different personal need and means of relating socially. Through her experience of working with children, the author, Marieke Ansch tz provides a guide to children's temperaments and their role in the development of character, health, and personality. The book includes illustrations from home and school, in the context of Waldorf classrooms. The author discusses how these ideas may be used to manage, and relate to, groups and individuals. This is a valuable tool for teachers, parents, and care providers, especially when dealing with "problem" children.